Radiation Medicine (Radiotherapeutics)

High-energy radiation can not only cause severe damage, as in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear accident or the Hiroshima atomic bomb. But they are also capable of alleviating and curing ailments. Since Conrad Röntgen’s groundbreaking discovery in 1895, radiation has secured an important place in medicine, technology and science. The beginning of radiation medicine lies in the discovery by Conrad Röntgen of the X-rays (or “X-rays”) named after him.

While their importance in diagnostics was first appreciated, just a few years later the Austrian Leopold Freund used them to treat a large animal fur birthmark in a five-year-old girl. Even today – after decades of further development – radiation medicine distinguishes between diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The discovery of X-rays

A new medical era began with the rays discovered by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen and named after him: for more than 100 years, “X-rays” in the form of “X-ray fluoroscopy” and “X-ray imaging” have been the basis of almost every medical examination. Initially, the classic “radiography” was developed, in which the patient’s body is irradiated with X-rays from one direction.

On the opposite side, the radiation is “collected” and converted into an image on which different parts of the body can be distinguished by the fact that they absorb different amounts of radiation. Because body parts often overlap in this procedure, images are taken from different projection planes. Classic X-rays are still used today. It is supplemented by a wide range of modern procedures such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, subtraction angiography and scintigraphy.

Side effects in the development of X-ray

There were many obstacles to overcome on the way to modern imaging techniques: The damage that incorrectly applied and overly high doses of radiation could cause had to be painfully established. Damage to genetic material, infertility and severe burns were the order of the day for many pioneers.

Today, the risk of damage to health from imaging procedures is usually low and is always put in proportion to the possible benefits.