[Cancer surgery--palliative surgery?]

Results of surgical treatments in carcinomas of solid organs are presenting a constant pour level of success. Radical treatment as final intention of tumor management cannot be performed in the majorities of cases. We suppose that advances can be expected only by new structural approaches to surgical performance. Cooperation with clinical pathologists, oncologists and immunologists must be organized on a new level. This means also increased work concerning typing, grading, staging, documentation and follow-up. Surgeons should develop as competent partners for this cooperation to regain their central position in oncologic network of the future.