Open AccessThe changing role of radiation oncology in cancer management
Author(s) -
Brady Luther W.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
ca: a cancer journal for clinicians
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 62.937
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1542-4863
pISSN - 0007-9235
DOI - 10.3322/canjclin.33.2.66
Subject(s) - radiation oncology , citation , medicine , clinical oncology , cancer , oncology , radiation therapy , library science , family medicine , computer science
Radiation oncologists have contributed greatly to the improved quality of care of the cancer patient; this has been shown repeatedly in various reports. The improvements in quality have been achieved because of a greater understanding of the natural history of cancer and a more critical evaluation of the results of clinical treatment. Increasing numbers of physicians involved in radiation oncology are participating in clinical evaluation and in multimodal programs of treatment. Major areas for future research in radiation oncology have been identified. The radiation oncologist is now a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary cancer team participating in clinical treatment and in national cooperative clinical trials. The radiation oncologist's active participation in multidisciplinary clinical treatment programs is significantly changing the character of cancer management. Integration of new techniques of treatment, new combined programs, and greater emphasis on the efficacies of single treatment programs offer major opportunities to cure many cancers that were previously considered incurable.