125 years of head and neck radiotherapy: could organ-sparing radiotherapy of larynx cancer have prevented World War I?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

We aim to recapitulate the rapid development of head and neck radiotherapy in the context of otorhinolaryngology (ORL) medicine starting 125 years ago. This is put into context with the unsuccessful treatment of the laryngeal cancer (LC) of the German emperor Frederick III and its historical consequences.

Methods

The three-step process consisted in the analysis of (1) historical sources of the development of ORL radiotherapy from the discovery of x‑rays and radioactivity until World War I, (2) course and treatment of Frederick's III LC, (3) political context with a special focus on the escalation towards World War I. Pertinent historical illustrations of technical developments of radiotherapy were summarized in a video.

Results

ORL radiotherapy initiated on 03

SUBMITTER: Brunner TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8940810 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature