Among the priorities established by the faculty of medicine,up to now, oncology was not represented. However, there have been several recent important structural changes in the University hospitals of Geneva (HUG) that now have created a reassessment of the situation: the creation of the clinical Center of oncology, the departure of the head of the division of oncology, and the fact that the HUG have now decided to develop both the clinical and research aspects of oncology in their current strategic plans. In view of this, the Dean's office has nominated a working group to review the current state of research and teaching in the domain of cancer. The results of the review are presented for the recommendations of the External Scientific Advisory Board. The principal question is whether the Faculty of medicine should develop the field of cancer as an academic priority?