What primary issue did early 20th-century practitioners face when using orthovoltage beams?
Answer
They struggled to penetrate deep into the body and often burned the skin
Early radiation practitioners relied on orthovoltage beams, which were low-energy and lacked the necessary power to penetrate deeply into the patient's body. Consequently, to reach internal tumors, the radiation intensity often caused severe damage and burns to the surface skin. This limitation drove the innovation toward higher energy sources that could safely target deep-seated malignancies without causing significant external tissue necrosis.
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