title: [Advances in radiation oncology introduction].
abstract: This year, 1995, marks the centennial of Roentgen's discovery of X-rays. Paralleling the discovery of X-rays, radioactive sources were discovered by Becquerel and the Curies in the late 1890's. The advent of X-rays and radioactive sources, especially 226Ra, had a great impact on clinical medicine, not only on diagnosis but also cancer therapy. Since then radiation oncology, i.e., radiation therapy for cancer, has made great progress with the advance of radiation physics and biology. In this special edition, the latest features of radiation oncology will be reviewed in terms of photon beam machines and its therapeutic technology, particle therapy, combination therapy focusing on hyperthermia, and quality assurance in radiation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Kyoto University, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000639:trends; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000639:trends