Abstract
There has been tremendous technological development in the field of radiation oncology,
mainly during the last few decades. Parallel advancements in imaging and accelerator
technologies have contributed significantly to the same. Present-day radiation therapy
is aimed at precision, in terms of physical accuracy of both its planning and delivery.
This has been made possible by improvements in defining the target (use of various
radiological and functional imaging modalities), advanced radiotherapy planning methods
(intensity-modulated radiation therapy and recent emergence of particle therapy),
and robust verification techniques (image-guided radiation therapy). These developments
have enabled delivery of adequate tumoricidal doses conforming to the target, thereby
improving disease control with reduced normal tissue toxicity in a wide range of malignancies.
Elucidation of molecular pathways determining radioresistance or systemic effects
of radiotherapy and strategies for therapeutic manipulation of the same are also being
explored. Overall, we look forward to ensuring basic radiotherapy access to all patients,
and precision radiation therapy to appropriate candidates (triaged by disease anatomy
or biology and associated cost-effectiveness).
Keywords
evolution - IMRT - radiation oncology
