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Editorial
. 2025 Feb 14;17(2):e79005.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.79005. eCollection 2025 Feb.

Cargo Cult Radiotherapy: The Illusion of Precision in Advanced Technologies

Susannah G Ellsworth  1 , Christopher Wilke  1
Affiliations
Editorial

Cargo Cult Radiotherapy: The Illusion of Precision in Advanced Technologies

Susannah G Ellsworth et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Emerging radiotherapy technologies such as proton therapy, MR-guided radiotherapy, and real-time adaptive radiotherapy share a common goal of improving radiotherapy outcomes by increasing the anatomic precision of treatment delivery. In this piece, we provide a critical view of "precision radiotherapy" by examining the assumptions underlying the theory and practice of these techniques. Our goal was not to provide an exhaustive review of published literature; rather, we strove to write an accessible and thought-provoking article that would challenge conventional wisdom and stimulate further discussion and debate.

Keywords: advanced radiotherapy; medical panglossianism; modern radiotherapy techniques; radiotherapy; technological applications in medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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