MEDICAL PROGRESS - RECENT ADVANCES IN RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Nearly 500,000 patients in the United States were treated with radiation in 1990,1 making radiotherapy one of the most widely used treatments for cancer. In this article we discuss advances that have occurred since the subject of radiation oncology was last reviewed in the Journal, over a decade ago.2 We begin by summarizing the biologic responses of cells to radiation, particularly as they relate to the development of new therapies. We then discuss developments in the physics of radiation therapy, especially the influence of high-speed computers and graphics displays on the accuracy of radiation treatment. Finally, we discuss clinical advances.  . . © 1995, Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved.