The 1978 report of the Working Group of Postgraduate Training in Clinical Oncology, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with the government of The Netherlands, is presented. The groups analyzed models of postgraduate training in clinical oncology and evaluated their suitability in relation to different types of cancer control services in various countries. In view of differences in service delivery, distinctions were made between three types of institutions: the highly specialized cancer center serving a large population; the second-level cancer service, based in a hospital with a reasonably developed radiotherapy department; and a general hospital that treats cancer patients. Desirable patterns of postgraduate training in oncology were considered for three categories of physicians: the general physician (general practitioner), the non-oncological specialist, and the full-time clinical oncologist. Although the focus was primarily the physician's initial or immediate postgraduate training, some consideration was given to the desirability and pattern of continuing education. Three main disciplines also were addressed: radiotherapy, medical oncology, and surgical oncology. International sources of information about particular fields and 18 recommendations of the working groups are presented. Information about further training in oncology and programs for general physicians for 11 countries are appended, along with an article on cancer education in Europe (S. Eckhardt). (SW)