title: On the controversies surrounding the origins of radiation therapy.
abstract: In this study the authors analyze the documentation regarding the earliest known X-ray treatments with the objective of identifying the true origin of radiation therapy. The four most often quoted events, including X-ray treatments allegedly performed in 1896 are analyzed in the light of available published reports. From this it is concluded that Despeignes of Lyon, who in July of 1896 irradiated a patient with cancer of the stomach, is in all likelihood the first person to perform documented radiation therapy treatments with a scientific and logical basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre, Sudbury, Canada.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leszczynski
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boyko
mesh_terms: D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000266:history*; D014964:X-Ray Therapy / Q000266:history