Brachytherapy technology and physics practice since 1950: a half-century of progress

The 50-year tenure of Physics in Medicine and Biology has coincided with some of the most important developments in radiological science, including the introduction of artificial radioactivity, computers and 3D imaging into medicine. These events have profoundly influenced the development of brachytherapy. Although it is not the dominant radiotherapy modality, it continues to play an important role in cancer therapy, more than a century after its introduction. This paper reviews the impact of three broad categories of innovation introduced since 1950 from the North American perspective: the introduction of artificial radioactivity, computer- and image-based treatment planning, and basic single-source dosimetry.