8 OCTOBER 2023IN MY OPINIONImaging Application in Radiation TherapyBy Heeteak Chung, Ph.D., MBA, Director of Medical Physics, Baylor Scott and White HealthINTRODUCTION TO RADIATION THERAPYX-ray was first discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen on November 8, 1895. About two and half months later, on January 29, 1896, an X-ray was used to treat breast cancer patients. Fast forward over 100 years, clinicians are using various types of radiation (e.g., x-ray, electrons, protons, carbons, and others) to treat not only oncological diseases but also non-oncological diseases like heterotopic ossification, arterial venous malformation and trigeminal neuralgia. Radiation therapy uses highly energetic radiation (ionizing radiation) to induce DNA damage to the cancer cells while minimizing radiation damage to the normal tissue. Radiation can be used for curative intent and palliative purposes depending on the stage of the disease and location. There has been a long history of evidence based Heeteak Chung
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