The first steps in treating cancer with radiation therapy were made possible by discoveries in the field of radiation in the late 19th century. Their history is inextricably linked to advances in science and technology.
Discovery of radiation
The basic foundation for the development of radiation therapy was laid in 1895, when German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays. Roentgen noticed that these rays, invisible to the eye, could penetrate solid bodies, including human tissues, leaving an image of internal structures on film. Soon after Roentgen's discovery, French scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered the radioactive element radium, paving the way for research into the effects of radiation on living organisms.
Beginnings of medical applications
The first uses of radiation in medicine focused on diagnostics, but in 1896, just a year after the discovery of X-rays, Emil Grubbé, a Chicago physician, used them for the first time to treat cancer. He directed X-rays at his patient's skin cancer, which is considered the first use of radiation therapy.
Development of radiation therapy
The early days of radiation therapy were difficult. Radiation was applied directly to the skin, leading to severe burns. Nevertheless, with advances in technology came the development of techniques that allowed radiation to be concentrated on a specific area of the body.
In 1913, William Coolidge introduced the constant-voltage X-ray tube, which revolutionized radiation therapy, making it possible to control the dose of radiation and increasing the effectiveness of treatment. Another significant advance came in 1922, when Gustav Bucky created the Bucky grid, which reduced the scattering of X-rays, increasing image quality.
Modern Radiation Therapy
After World War II, advances in technology, such as the development of computers, enabled further development of radiotherapy. One of the most important developments was the creation of computed tomography (CT) scans, which give doctors a 3D image of the area of the body being examined, allowing precise targeting of radiation to the tumor.
In 1951, another important advance took place when Irvin I. Kirsch and A. M. S. Kelman demonstrated the benefits of using cobalt-60 in radiation therapy. Their work led to the development of the first cobalt therapists, which offered a more concentrated and effective source of radiation.
Beginning in the 1970s, radiation therapy also began using new technologies such as linear gas pedals to treat glioblastoma and other types of cancer. Today's radiotherapy techniques, such as image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), provide even greater precision, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and increasing treatment efficiency.
Summary
The history of radiation therapy is a story of constant advances in science and technology. Beginning with the first experiments with radiation at the turn of the 20th century, through the development of modern computer technology, radiation therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment. Nonetheless, the challenges of minimizing side effects and increasing treatment efficacy remain, which means that the history of radiation therapy is still being written.
