title: Afterloading: The Technique That Rescued Brachytherapy.
abstract: Although brachytherapy had been established as a highly effective modality for the treatment of cancer, its application was threatened by mid-20th century due to appreciation of the radiation hazard to health care workers. This review examines how the introduction of afterloading eliminated exposure and ushered in a brachytherapy renaissance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts. Electronic address: jesse.aronowitz@umassmemorial.org.
authors.forename: Jesse N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Aronowitz
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000266:history / Q000517:prevention & control; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes