title: [The situation of oncological surgery in Germany in 1998: results of a current survey].
abstract: The situation of oncological surgery in Germany was evaluated by sending a questionnaire in January 1998 to 1979 registered surgical clinics. A total of 938 responded and stated that they are involved in that field. In 72% of the departments oncological surgery adds up to 10-30% of their overall work. The proportion of oncological surgery correlated to hospital size and is highest in university clinics. Colorectal surgery is 93% and is the leading topographical field in oncological surgery. 73% of the hospitals regularly perform gastric tumor surgery. The proportion of hospitals with breast surgery is surprisingly high (45%). Many hospitals (54.6%) report neoadjuvant treatment regimens. Together with adjuvant therapy this rate amounts to 85.2%. The diagnostic spectrum of the hospitals involved in the inquiry is satisfactory. However, the modern possibilities of network and telecommunication are not sufficiently used. A second opinion is required predominantly in their own department or clinic, but not between centers. The surgeon's position concerning the speciality "surgical oncology" is ambivalent: only 35.3% of the department chiefs support this speciality--and over 90% of the departments reject the structural independence of "surgical oncology" from "visceral surgery".
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik, TU München.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bumm
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Siewert
mesh_terms: D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires