Cancer and leukemia group B surgery committee.

Surgeons play a vital role in the Cancer and Leukemia Group B by providing patients and specimens for studies of the common solid tumors, and more recently, by serving as investigators who conduct surgically focused research protocols and contribute to the correlative science studies in the Group. Surgical activities encompass thoracic, gastrointestinal, breast, and genitourinary cancers and melanoma. Surgical quality assurance is also an important focus. This article will describe the development and importance of a robust and vigorous surgical component to a strong cooperative group and highlight the many trials conducted by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B surgeons and their contributions to advancement of the care of the patient with solid organ malignancy.