[The future of radiation oncology: technology, ethical considerations and economical aspects].
We are facing a real technical revolution in radiation oncology. The radiation oncologist is pushed by the industry to implement rapidly new and "high-tech" therapeutic modalities. All of the technical improvements are obviously aiming at an increase in the therapeutic index. However, one should be cautious before implementing on a large scale those technical innovations as no one really knows neither what the possible impact is on medical outcome (efficacy, toxicity and risk), nor what the economical consequences will be. It is our duty as radiation oncologists to make a comprehensive estimation of the impacts in order to be able to set up guidelines for use that are both ethical and in respectful of human dignity.
Coucke
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Service de Radiothérapie, CHU de Liège, Belgique.
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*