The field of academic research in clinical oncology is characterized by the performance of large, randomized, well controlled clinical trials which test for an amelioration of current treatments by the use of innovative drugs and/or techniques, new drug combinations and/or new treatment schedules.
Statistical requirements necessitate the inclusion of large numbers of patients who are supposed to share a similar profile of prognostic factors as well as disease characteristics

As a consequence, studies originating from single or even many institutions can recruit only a limited number of patients over a long enrollment period providing unrepresentative results with low potential to answer relevant questions and at a limited pace of progress.

In addition, quality of treatment and treatment standards differ considerably between centers and countries. Based on these considerations, cooperative multicenter groups have been set up in clinical oncology in order to enroll huge numbers of patients within a reasonable time and simultaneously establish and implement common control criteria of quality assurance and patient care. Such cooperative study groups in oncology have operated not only in the United States where they include the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), the South Western Oncology Group (SWOG), the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) and the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), but also in Europe where they are undisputedly being headed by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and have also been represented by other initiatives for a long time.

Following these examples, the Central European Cooperative Oncology Group (CECOG) was formed, which, apart from its aim to conduct high quality, internationally compatible clinical trials in oncology, focuses on specific, yet in many aspects similar circumstances in countries of Central- and Southeastern Europe and beyond.

Controlled trials in malignant diseases

Optimized cytotoxic treatment has often resulted in an increase in remissions, but only rarely in a prolongation of survival.
Moreover, quality of life has been only inadequately weighed against the necessity of cytotoxic treatment for sustaining organ function.
Finally, new therapeutic concepts including such various aspects on maintenance of remission, new polychemotherapy protocols with recently developed cytotoxic drugs of proven efficacy in monotherapy trials, and, finally, biologically active preparations have recently arisen.

CECOG's aim is to participate and excel in these innovations by means of the development of innovative treatment protocols and thereby define new treatment standards.