Introduction (Alternate Fractionation in Radiotherapy)

The near-miraculous discovery of the X-ray by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895 (University of Wurzburg-Bavaris n.d.) was coincidentally coupled with the most recent developments in rapid long-distance communication abilities. Those simultaneous discoveries made it quickly possible to propel forth a new discipline of research into the possible applications of this new radiation breakthrough. From the outset, radiation was thought to be not only an important diagnostic tool—evaluating fractures without the then standard-of-care painful manipulations—but also as a possible therapeutic option, especially for cancer. Following Emil Grubbe’s discovery that radiation exposure adversely affected cancerous growths (Grubbe 1903), the medical world became almost immediately excited that a new therapy option could become a surgical accessory, if not an alternative, for the treatment of cancers. There were big questions to answer: What to treat, who to treat, and how to treat? The intent of this book focuses on the latter question since at this point within the modern era of radiation therapy, there is little doubt in the therapeutic advantages of radiation, especially for the curative and conservation techniques (Chou et al. 2001).

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