A rational approach to the patient with cancer.

Acquisition of an adequate data base is essential to the management of the cancer patient. Staging systems currently in use are not applicable to the patient having either advanced disease or a complicating illness. We have found it useful to organize our approach to cancer patients by asking a series of eight questions. Such a structured approach helps to focus on critical aspects of the patient's cancer and any complicating illness, as well as gather a necessary data base. In so doing, it provides for maximum flexibility at the time of therapeutic decision-making.