In the last two decades since President Nixon declared war on cancer, there has been unparalleled activity in all aspects of research and treatment. The emphasis has gone from determining the etiology of cancer, to the development of effective drugs and new radiation technologies to treat cancer, to early detection and even prevention of malignancies. Twenty years ago, radiation oncology was very basic. Today, it is responsible for many innovations in the treatment of cancer.
Current therapy includes combination therapy, implant and stereotactic radiation.
It is directed localized therapy avoiding much of systemic treatment's toxicity. Because radiation is generally administered by external means, it avoids the invasiveness of surgery. In specific diseases such as prostate cancer, implant therapy is producing early results highly suggestive of benefit compared to radical prostatectomy or standard radiation. Twenty years ago, for example, mastectomy was the most popular method used for treatment of breast cancer. Today, more and more women with breast cancer are diagnosed early.