2358 - From Hagiography to Histiography in Radiotherapy: For What Do We Need Historical Biographies?

Purpose/Objective(s): The historical narrative surrounding radiotherapy has long been shaped by hagiographic depictions that focus on revered figures and their supposedly heroic and linear contributions to medical progress. This style of writing has remained popular because it reinforces a teleological understanding of scientific development, presenting radiotherapy as an uninterrupted story of innovation and success. Such narratives emphasize groundbreaking discoveries and technical achievements while often neglecting the scientific uncertainties, ethical dilemmas, professional rivalries, and socio-political contexts that significantly influenced the discipline. The aim of this study was therefore to critically analyze historical biographies in radiotherapy and to explore their function in shaping professional identity, collective memory, and ethical reflection within the field. Therefore, biographies in history of radiotherapy were systematically analyzed.

Materials/Methods: A systematic search of the medical database PubMed was conducted to identify biographical publications related to radiotherapy and radiation oncology. In addition, references and citations within the identified publications were analyzed to ensure comprehensive coverage. The biographies were examined with regard to authorship, thematic focus, historical framing, and implicit moral evaluation.

Results: A total of 506 biographies were identified. Of these, approximately 90% concerned male figures, while only 10% focused on women, reflecting a marked gender imbalance in historical commemoration. The publications included memorial articles, anniversary tributes, birthday recognitions, and obituaries. From a historical-ethical perspective, the biographies could be categorized—acknowledging subjective overlap—into three principal groups: pioneers (n = 396), victims or martyrs (n = 55), and perpetrators (n = 5). While pioneers were predominantly portrayed within a celebratory framework, the smaller groups of victims and perpetrators reveal the ethical tensions embedded in the history of radiotherapy, including radiation injuries, professional marginalization, and involvement in problematic political systems. The relative scarcity of critical accounts highlights the persistence of hagiographic tendencies.

Conclusion: The transition from hagiography to historiography allows for a more differentiated and responsible engagement with the past. Reading and critically reflecting on medical biographies can therefore contribute significantly to the professional formation of physicians and medical scientists. When integrated into academic education, they foster ethical awareness, encourage reflection on social responsibility, and strengthen the dialogue between medicine and the humanities.