soft tissue tumors are generally less success­ ful than better equipped major centers. This fact has already been recognized by most physicians and surgeons who now refer their patients to specialized oncologic centers. Nevertheless, they all have to know the present state of the art. This symposium was therefore mostly addressed to them. This international symposium, organized by the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Ottawa, and cosponsored by the Association des Chirurgiens Orthopedistes du Quebec, was held in Ottawa from May 12-14, 1983. Each of the 40 presentations clearly demonstrates that disregard for proper staging before initiation of treatment and omission of a clearly defined treatment protocol is definitely unacceptable in view of the knowledge we have acquired.