Ethical aspects of treatment are discussed from the aspect of medical objectives and the doctor - patient relationship. The author draws attention to various dangers of incorrect approaches which may ensue for the patient: unnecessary and excessively burdening antitumourous treatment, inadequate treatment - in particular of pain, queer views on palliative treatment, a paternalistic approach of the physician with insufficient respect for the patient's wishes, inadequate information provided to the patient, "abuse" of patients for different experimental treatments etc. The author discusses in detail the double effect principy and draws attention to classification of means finto ordinary and extraordinary with regard to the patient's own evaluation.

        Key words: Oncological patient - Doctor - patient relationship -Palliative treatment - Paternalism - Double effect principy - Ordinary and extraordinary means