[The place of surgery in the modern treatment of cancer (author's transl)].

Cancer is now the second most frequent cause of death in the Federal Republic of Germany. According to medical estimates, surgery is the primary treatment for 80-90% of all tumors, and it is curative in 30-40% with or without concomitant radiotherapy. Chemotherapy is potentially curative in about 7%, immunotherapy in only +/- 0%. After a general discussion of radical and palliative operative techniques, the place of surgery in prophylactic indications, in recurrences, and in metastases is dealt with. Special problems occur in various organ tumors (thyroid, breast, esophagus, stomach, colon, and Wilms' tumors). In Heidelberg, an interdisciplinary oncologic group has been in existence since 1966; this group forms the basis of a tumor center, consisting of the two academic clinics and the German Cancer Research Center. Whether a speciality in surgical oncology is also needed in Germany is a question for further consideration.