[The cancer patient, an interdisciplinary problem: aspects of pediatric oncology]

The number of childhood malignancies in West Germany amounts to 1500 per year. The relative success of the treatment requires a therapy concept with curative intention. Diagnosis and treatment during the intensive phase should be centralized in special pediatric oncology departments to guarantee the best possible results. It is emphasized that the patients must be treated after the intensive phase on an outpatient basis. Unavoidable side effects of the treatment demand a "life long" follow-up of the patients in pediatric tumor centers.