[Certified stomach cancer centres as seen by their directors: results of a questionaire to key personnel].

Since 2003 the German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft, DKG) has been certifying specific organ cancer centers in Germany. After 8 years activity, there are now more than 600 certified cancer centres that, as required by the national cancer plan, enable "oncological management at an assured quality level" in Germany. Anmong them are more than 200 certified centres for stomach cancer, that treat about 25 % of all newly diagnosed cases of stomach cancer. In this article we have examined the question as to what changes the certification concept has caused in the centres.