Includes References

Brachytherapy has a long history since the discovery of radium-226 by Marie Curie
in 1898 and its introduction to the cancer treatment in France in 1901. Already in
1913, the clinical results of brachytherapy in cervical cancer surpassed the results
obtained through Wertheim’s operation. The era of “Strahl statt Stahl” (rays instead
of iron knife) came. Brachytherapy was at that time a sole modality which can be
curative in the deep-lying tumors. Additionally the wisdom of fractionated radiation
therapy derived from the experience obtained through low-dose-rate brachytherapy
using radium-226. However, with the advent of telecobalt and megavoltage radiation therapy, the indications of brachytherapy were quite narrowed and once seemed
to be obsolete. In addition, radiation exposure to the medical personnel remained
quite annoying. The introduction of the afterloading method by Henschke and a
small radionuclide with a high specific radioactivity such as iridium-192 changed
the scene of brachytherapy. Now the high-dose-rate irradiation in interstitial as well
as intracavitary applications became possible. Provided that radionuclide placement
is performed according to the planning, inverse square law guarantees very sharp
dose distribution confined to the tumor. Additionally, implanted applicators move
according to the physiological movement of the tumor and planning target volume
can be reduced to a minimum. Even in comparison to the most modern external
beam radiation like intensity-modulated proton therapy, brachytherapy can attain
favorable physical dose distribution. Fame of brachytherapy as the utmost precision
therapy remains impeccable.
In this book, radiation oncologists majoring in brachytherapy describe the present status of brachytherapy in oncology with their eagerness. This book is dedicated
to young radiation oncologists and we wish many of them will be inspired to join
the fascinating and stimulating world of brachytherapy.