In malignant disease diagnostic laparoscopy is a sensitive technique for diagnosis and staging of intraabdominal tumors. Laparoscopy is particularly valuable for the detection of peritoneal carcinosis and small liver metastases. Increasing interest is also addressed to the use of laparoscopic procedures in surgical oncology. While minimal access surgery is apparently useful for palliative procedures, e.g. gastrostomy, there is much controversy about the feasibility of curative procedures. Presently there is only limited experience with laparoscopic colon resections for colon cancer. This technically complex procedure can result in serious complications. A conversion rate of up to 40% has been reported in the literature. Presently there are no long-term results available confirming the superiority of laparoscopic surgery with respect to survival. Consequently, this technique should be used with caution for the management of carefully selected patients.