130 Years of Radiotherapy for Nonmalignant Diseases: A Historical Overview.

Abstract

Radiotherapy has long been associated with the treatment of malignant tumors, yet its application in nonmalignant (benign) diseases predates many contemporary oncologic indications and has played a critical role in shaping the broader field of radiation medicine in early times. As of 2025, roughly 130 years have elapsed since the first experimental clinical applications of X‑rays and radium for non‑malignant conditions, and a review of this period may provide insights both into medical innovation and the trade‑offs inherent in using potentially harmful agents for nonmalignant indications. Such a historical overview can help us understand past missteps, guide present practice, and shape future research, especially in defining indications, optimizing dose/fractionation schedules, and ensuring long‑term monitoring of outcomes and risks. Our review will touch cornerstones and landmarks of the long and widely branched history of radiotherapy and also looks at the biographies of important pioneers of the field, so that we can learn from their thinking, research and experience.