Why "Radiation Oncology"

Claus Belka,Kevin A Camphausen

doi:10.1186/1748-717x-1-1

Claus Belka, Kevin A Camphausen

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-717x-1-1

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Abstract

Radiotherapy continues to be a major treatment for solid tumours and is a cornerstone of modern oncology. The term 'radiation oncology' describes the integration of radiation therapy into the complexity of multi-modal therapy. Over the last ten years the crucial role of radiation therapy as part of multi-modality protocols in cancer care has been documented in numerous Phase III trials. Advances in treatment technology as well as the underlying biology of tumour resistance mechanisms will further strengthen the role of radiation oncology. The scientific role of radiation oncology is reflected by the increase in the number of papers related to radiation oncology in resources like Medline. In order to reflect the growing scientific importance of radiation oncology, radiation physics and radiation biology, we have initiated Radiation Oncology as the first open access journal in the field. Open access allows for a rapid and transparent publication process together with an unequalled opportunity to reach the widest reader spectrum possible.

Highlights

It is predicted that in 2006 there will be 1.25 million nonskin cancers diagnosed in North America, and 75% of these patients will receive radiotherapy sometime during the course of their disease
Future successes using radiotherapy will hinge on the proper integration of clinical radiotherapy, radiation biology and radiation physics into general treatment approaches and the application of these findings in a timely fashion
In the field of radiation biology we believe that cell death research aiming to dissect the pathways underlying radiation-induced inactivation of clonogenic tumor cell death is of crucial importance [1]

Summary

Introduction

It is predicted that in 2006 there will be 1.25 million nonskin cancers diagnosed in North America, and 75% of these patients will receive radiotherapy sometime during the course of their disease. There has been much success in terms of local tumour control using radiotherapy there has been less success in terms of an improvement in overall survival in patients receiving only radiotherapy. Future successes using radiotherapy will hinge on the proper integration of clinical radiotherapy, radiation biology and radiation physics into general treatment approaches and the application of these findings in a timely fashion.

Results

Conclusion