The next generation of radiation oncologists: Challenges and perspectives.

he field of oncology has undergone many changes in the ast few years and due to the ever-growing complexity of the iscipline it is imperative that specialists receive extensive raining, and for this reason training programs in radiation ncology are among the most comprehensive of all speialities. Oncologists require wide-ranging training in basic cience as well as in clinical medicine. These specialists need o know how to manage the side-effects of systemic treatents and radiotherapy, and even surgery. All specialists orking in oncology must also be prepared to use a therapeuic approach to patient care that involves collaborative efforts, orking together with other specialists through multidiscilinary tumor boards.1 In the speciality of radiation oncology, rigorous preparaion is becoming even more important due to the emergence f new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In recent years, ew technologies have revolutionized the field: intensityodulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric-modulated arc herapy (VMAT), image-guided RT (IGRT), and stereotactic ody RT (SBRT).2,3 Importantly, some of these techniques are ven capable of achieving results comparable to those tradiionally obtained only through surgery.4–6 As a result, it is essential that we encourage young radition oncologists to constantly make efforts to develop their nowledge and skills in the three fundamental areas of the eld: basic research, clinical knowledge, and technical undertanding.