The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the AIDS- related complex (ARC) are caused by the human immunodeficien- cy virus (HIV-I), previously known as human T-celllymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) or lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LA V). It seems that additional retroviruses (HIV-II and perhaps 1 3 others) are able to cause variants of AIDS or ARC. - Patients infected wi~h the virus may (but do not necessarily) de- velop a wide range of clinical symptoms that are not directly relat- ed to the virus itself, but are secondary to the devastating effects of the viral infection on' the human immune system. The virus thus renders the patient susceptible to a variety of opportunistic infec- tions with other viruses (such as cytomegalovirus), bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, as well as to the development of simultaneous or subsequent malignant tumors. The new topic of AIDS and cancer is a challenging and frighten- ing aspect of present-day medicine and health politics. With the growing prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus(es) and clinical correlates ranging from persistent generalized lymphaden- opathy (PGL) to full-blown AIDS in our population, we will also encounter a steadily rising number of patients with both AIDS and neoplasias, such as Kaposi's sarcoma, Hodgkin's and non-Hodg- kin's lymphomas, anal cancer, and a variety of additional malig- 4 nant tumors. , 5 1 Gallo RC, Salahuddin SZ, Popvic M et a!. (1984) Frequent detection and isolation of cytopathic retroviruses (HTL V-III) from patients with AIDS and at risk for AIDS. Science 224: 500-503.

The symposium on supportive care in cancer patients, which took place in St. Gallen, Switzerland, on February 18-21, 1987, wel comed renowned experts in the field and more than 600 partici pants from 25 countries with the aim of stimulating discussion on how to improve our professional skills and personal attitudes to ward cancer patients in all stages of their disease. Why did we or ganize such a symposium on supportive care in cancer patients? Recent decades have witnessed remarkable success in cancer treat ment, and we have learned how to cure a finite number of neoplas tic diseases. Some malignant tumors that previously entailed high fatality rates, such as leukemias, lymphomas, and testicular can cers, can now be cured, even when at an advanced stage. Yet it seems to many that our struggle to improve results and to fight death from cancer has also imposed greater toxicity on patients. Conventional scientifically based oncology has only recently made adequate efforts to improve the subjective quality of life of cancer patients, for example through prophylaxis against emesis, nausea, and scalp hypothermia, pain control and the development of psy chosocial support structures. The search for less toxic and yet equally effective treatment measures has not been one of our pri mary goals in the past. Supportive care has always been part of nurses' professional aim, even though many have not known how best to offer it.