Rescuing Spanish Radiation Therapy: The Role of Leadership and Opportunity

Abstract

Radiation therapy is a major cornerstone in cancer treat- ment. Organ preservation in early tumors, treatment of

locally advanced cancers, and the curative or palliative treatment of metastatic disease is possible thanks to the efforts of radiation oncologists in caring for their patients and to the tremendous technological advances available in recent decades. Unfortunately, much of this good news is unknown and unnoticed by either the general population, the media, or by politicians. Furthermore, globally there is a wide variation in resources and access to radiation therapy by countries, regions, and even within cities (1).