A review of various historical events in oncology at l'Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal is presented as well as a description of the services offered and the structural organization of the oncology center. The surgical and medical oncology subspecialties are very active in clinical research. Their contribution to various protocols is noted and a highlight of their conclusions is given. The research unit in epidemiology has expertise in the nutritional evaluation of patients with cancer. They have also published two atlas on the mortality and incidence of cancer by regions in the Province of Québec. The hospital has also a molecular pathology laboratory which helps physicians in pursuing the diagnosis and to understand the biology of cancers.