Radiation oncology is the medical specialty focused in the treatment of patients with cancer using ionizing radiation. Before a treatment is initiated patients undergo imaging (CT, MRI, PET scans) to map out the location, size and shape of the tumors. Radiation oncologists then determine the appropriate dose and angles of radiation beams to maximize tumor control while minimizing damage to adjacent healthy tissues.
Radiation is delivered either with Linear Accelerators (LINACs) or with Proton Beam Therapy (PBT), brachytherapy with specialized applicators or with radioactive isotopes such as Iodine-131 for thyroid cancer.
Diagnostic Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine were practiced for many decades as distinct divisions of departments called Radiology. All three are now operated as separate departments and their residents upon the completion of their training take separate boards. The individuals listed below are pioneers who advanced the field of Radiation Oncology and made it a distinct specialty.
Leopold Freund (1868-1943) a Viennese physician founded Radiation therapy 100 years ago. He provided the first scientific proof of the biological effectiveness of ionizing radiation when he treated a 5-year-old girl with a huge nevus pigmentosus on her back with x-rays.
Victor Despeines (1866-1937) treated a patient with stomach cancer with radiation therapy in July 1896. He was also the first physician who published a radiation therapy paper in 1896, one year after publication of the discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Röntgen.
Emil Grubbe(1875-1960) was likely the first American to use x-ray therapy in the treatment a 55-year-old woman suffering from inoperable recurrent breast cancer.
Radiation Oncology is a dynamic field that plays a vital role in the multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of patients with cancer.
This post is dedicated to Reinhard Gahbauer MD who established the Radiation Oncology Division at James Cancer Hospital. I met Dr. Gahbauer during my tenure as Radiology Chairman. Dr. Gahbauer and his associates offered the most advanced therapies to their patients. His devotion to the wellbeing of his patients was recognized by all. I was fortunate that met and worked with him and for staying friends for many years after our retirement.
