Structure and function of the oncologic boards in Greece. Description of the institutional and scientific frame;...

Oncology boards should constitute a routine in all hospitals that are dealing with the care of cancer patients. Unfortunately the procedure which should be followed to deal with this health problem has some deficiencies.

A literature review has recently been attempted, searching Internet databases by using key words such as oncologic board, medical legislation and medical ethics.

Current mentality suggests that hiding the truth from the patient is wrong and unethical. However, in the Greek society, this is not the case as it seems not right to adopt foreign practices, i.e. to disclose directly to the patient all information relevant to his health status, the intended therapy and possible outcome. Instead, ambiguous information pass onto relatives who in turn bear the burden of informing the patient.

The best solution would be the integration of the positive elements of the patient's awareness and the beneficial effects of the involvement of the Greek family in the general care of the cancer patient.