[Optimal care of the oncologic patient: a question of organization]

The rapid development of oncology as a subspecialty in internal medicine presents a dilemma for the specialist and the private practitioner. How can one offer the best technical and scientific care which often requires an institutional setting for its delivery and at the same time maintain a continuous meaningful relationship with a primary care physician? The outpatient clinic of the oncology center of the Basle University clinics as a paragon for the patient care in these changing times may represent one of several possible solutions to this contemporary dilemma.