Radiotherapy

Abstract

The use of radiation in the treatment of cancer began around the turn of the century when it became established that radiation had a very potent therapeutic effect on superficial cancers. Since that time there have been numerous advances in the use of radiation and now most forms of cancer may be treated by one or other types of ionising radiation. Radiotherapy, therefore, is an extremely valuable therapeutic weapon against cancer. Its prime value lies in the fact that, under appropriate conditions, it is an excellent method for locally controlling tumour growth. In this respect it is similar to surgery, and is subject to the same limitations, e.g. the volume which can be treated will depend on the extent of the disease, and the effect on normal surrounding tissues must be borne in mind. Like surgery, radiotherapy has no direct effect on secondary tumours outside the treated area.