Most advanced cancer patients remain incurable. They are carrying the tumor burden and the burden of symptoms as a result of physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. Modern medical oncology, sophisticated as it may appear in its endeavors to cure cancers, has historically failed to consider pain and symptom control as part of cancer care. Because of this, palliative medicine has emerged as the champion of pain and symptom control in advanced cancer patients. The reasons for medical oncology not embracing palliative care are analyzed and a model for palliative medical oncology is proposed.