Cargo Cult Radiotherapy: The Illusion of Precision in Advanced Technologies

Emerging radiotherapy technologies such as proton therapy, MR-guided radiotherapy, and real-time adaptive radiotherapy share a common goal of improving radiotherapy outcomes by increasing the anatomic precision of treatment delivery. In this piece, we provide a critical view of "precision radiotherapy" by examining the assumptions underlying the theory and practice of these techniques. Our goal was not to provide an exhaustive review of published literature; rather, we strove to write an accessible and thought-provoking article that would challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate further discussion and debate.