We are grateful for the scholarly, meticulous, and thorough work of the contributors to this volume. Through six editions, this book has become the “book of record” for the specialty of radiation oncology. It has achieved that distinction through the hard work of the individual chapter authors.

Jonathan Pine, Emilie Moyer, Grace Caputo, and Indu Jawwad of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and their associated companies have professionally seen this work through from planning to distribution. We are in their debt.

Our fellow faculty members, residents, and medical students have supported our work, providing consistent intellectual stimulation, valuable suggestions, and materials that have contributed to this book.

Rupert K. Schmidt-Ullrich, MD, of the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University served as co-editor of the fourth edition. A consummate physician-scientist and a valued colleague, he died in 2005. His positive contributions live on. Ruth Aultman faithfully served as secretary to Dr. Halperin for 21 years and diligently worked on the fourth through sixth editions. She died in 2012 and was working on the manuscript for Chapter 1 until shortly before her death.

Special recognition is due to Vilma Bordonaro, Deborah Habberfield, Susan Pfeifer, and Mary Lou Chin, who diligently worked on the preparation of materials for this volume.

Our families have patiently endured the loss of time and attention to other matters that occurs as a result of the demands of a project of this magnitude. To them, especially, we express our gratitude and love.

Edward C. Halperin, MD, MA
David E. Wazer, MD, FASTRO
Carlos A. Perez, MD
Luther W. Brady, MD