radioˈtherapy
[f. radio- 2 + therapy.]
The treatment of disease by means of X-rays or other forms of ionizing radiation.
| 1903 Boston Med. & Surg. Jrnl. CXLIX. 325/1 He had been interested in comparing the effects of phototherapy and radiotherapy. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 29 Dec. 2/1 A working knowledge of the technique of radio-therapy. 1955 Bull. Atomic Sci. Oct. 287/3 These will become available in source strength varying from kilocurie sources of radiocaesium for use in radiotherapy to megacurie sources for industrial applications. 1970 Sci. Jrnl. Mar. 62/3 Where a cancer has become disseminated to other areas, treatment with drugs or radiotherapy is used. 1974 ‘H. Carmichael’ Motive iv. 47 Dr. Egan will see you. He's in the Radio-Therapy department. |
Hence radioˈtherapist, one who practises radiotherapy.
| 1918 R. Knox Radiogr. (ed. 2) II. 388 It is easy..to understand the complexity of the problem which confronts the radiotherapist in dealing with morbid growths. 1934 Lancet 29 Sept. 697/1 The patient should..be examined in consultation with an expert radiotherapist before any operation on the primary tumour or glands. 1976 Ibid. 6 Nov. 992/1 The introduction of improved techniques has enabled radiotherapists to treat relatively large volumes of the body with comparative safety. |