[Second International Expert Meeting of the German Foundation for Cancer Research, "Current trends in cancer research." Critical review of tumour markers in diagnosis and surveillance].

The 2. International Expert Meeting of the "Deutsche Stiftung für Krebsforschung" on "Current Trends in Cancer Research", was held from May 11.-14., 1979, in Bonn. The conference dealt with a special subject: it was dedicated to the critical evaluation of tumor-marker substances with all their possible applications in clinical oncology. The aim was to reach clear conclusions about the real usefulness of tumor-markers in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer, as well as in the surveillance of already diagnosed patients. Moreover, the choice of the most appropriate tumor marker(s) for the different tumors out of the variety of the currently known substances, was to be cleared up. The sequel of the experts' critical considerations resulted in answer to three principle questions; these answers could serve as a basis for recommendations to all clinicians interested in oncology, who already are dealing with tumor-markers or intend to do so.