"Radiation oncology is the specialty of medicine that uses radiant energy for treating malignant disease (cancer). It is an intellectual discipline with physician-patient relationship at its heart. Its strength and appeal lies in the multidimensional approach to treating cancer patients. Radiation oncologists, who are embedded within the interdisciplinary practice of cancer treatment, play a role as both primary oncologists to cancer patients and as consultants to other physicians. It is a field that weds the physician’s breadth of knowledge to the meticulous application of technical expertise" (Freeman, p. 413).

-- Freeman, B. (2004). The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty. Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill: New York.