125 Beams and the Rise of Radiation Therapy: The People, Landmark Discoveries and Innovations That Shaped a Field

This book provides a communal look at the history of radiation therapy, detailing the significant developments and progress in efficacy of treatment. Radiation therapy has been used for more than 125 years and this book collects the research and writings of many clinicians and scientists to chronicle radiation therapy since its inception in 1895.

This work details history from the perspective of current practitioners who are able to describe the influence of events on the current state of radiation therapy. The chronological book is composed of 5 sections, each covering 25 years. The writers of each chapter cover a decade period that are compiled into a single-volume history of radiation therapy. The writers of each chapter include a physician, physicist, or radiation biologist to provide a unique perspective on the history. Rather than having a single person or small group, we aim to provide a very diverse review of history. Each chapter focuses on a key historical figure, event, publication, or technological development in radiation therapy.

This is an ideal resource for the radiation oncologist, medical physicist, dosimetrist, and radiation biologist, and related trainees. This volume can also notably be used for teaching at the university level through residency education in radiation oncology and medical physics. As more students are being introduced to medical specialties at the undergraduate level, this volume is an excellent source for students wanting to learn more about the history and advancements within radiation oncology.

Malcolm Heard, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University.

Charles R. Thomas, Jr., MD is Professor and Chair of Radiation Oncology & Applied Sciences at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Dartmouth Cancer Center.