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During the period from 1942 to 1962, treatment attempts with single‐agent chemotherapy such as nitrogen mustard and urethan gained limited application. However, the groundbreaking success with aminopterin in the treatment of patients with pediatric acute leukemia and methotrexate in the treatment of gestational choriocarcinoma established single‐agent chemotherapy as a pioneering contribution to oncology. The landmark discovery that early‐stage Hodgkin disease is curable with radiation made radiotherapy into an essential specialty of oncology. Although radical surgical treatment dominated the field of surgery, the excision of localized cancers with or without adjuvant radiation emerged as new modality in therapy. Cytopathology and surgical pathology became new fields in medicine and pathologists became an integral part of the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of patients with cancer. The discovery of multiple new drugs demonstrated promising results and widened the field of oncology from the laboratory to the clinic. In the etiology of cancer, precancerous conditions were named and carcinoma of the lung was definitively linked to cigarette smoking. All things considered, the progress made between 1942 and 1962 came about through the dedicated work of many individuals. However, there were 7 distinguished pathfinders (2 pathologists, 1 pediatric pathologist–oncologist, 1 radiation therapist, 1 physician‐actuary, 1 gynecologist‐oncologist, and 1 chemist) who, despite their different backgrounds, interests, and sex, made groundbreaking contributions to oncology. Over the 2 decades reviewed herein, advancements in radiotherapy and medical oncology coupled with the discovery of new chemotherapeutic drugs and the introduction of less radical surgical procedures were the most momentous events. The biographies of 7 individuals who contributed the most to the progress of oncology from 1942 to 1962 are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period 1884 to 1922, the only option in cases of operable cancers was radical surgery, and only a minority of patients were cured. Sporadic attempts were made to treat inoperable cancer patients with bacterial toxins; however, with the discovery of x‐ray and radium, the era of radiation treatment as an alternative to surgery began. The discovery of transmissible cancers and experimental growth of cancer cells offered new information and not only led to a better understanding of the cellular composition of cancers but also yielded important information that ultimately paved the way to chemotherapy. These efforts also advanced the understanding of the pathogenesis of tumors and induced new clinical and pathologic classifications and subspecializations. It is important to emphasize that many of the initiatives and discoveries made in Europe in the second half of the 19th century were first put into clinical practice in the United States during the first 2 decades of the 20th century, including the use of x‐ray and radium for irradiation and as diagnostic tools. All things considered, the progress made between 1884 and 1922 came about through the hard work of many eminent individuals; however, there were 7 foresighted pathfinders (3 surgeons, 2 pathologists, 1 internist, and 1 physicist) who—despite their widely diverse backgrounds, personalities, and expertise—made remarkable contributions to oncology to an extent that is still felt today. During the 4 decades reviewed herein, advancements in surgical techniques and tumor pathology dominated the field of oncology; however, with the discoveries of x‐ray and radium, the era of diagnostic radiology and radiation therapy commenced. The biographies and historical background of 7 individuals who contributed the most to the progression of oncology from 1884 to 1922 are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fields of medicine and oncology made substantial progress between 1800 and 1885. The first half of this period was dominated by the spectacular progress in physiology, cytology, histology, histopathology, and diagnostic microscopy. In the second half of the period, advancements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, asepsis, and laboratory medicine, including bacteriology, chemistry, and biochemistry, led to the development of medical specialties, including surgical pathology and surgical oncology. Although wars, revolutions, and socioeconomic upheavals interrupted the daily life of the populace, distinguished artists, scientists, and physicians continued, against all odds, to advance their field of interest. Among the many eminent individuals, there were 7 renowned physicians (4 pathologists and 3 surgeons) who revolutionized medical and oncology thinking in ways that are still felt today. They were polyglots with formidable erudition, beloved teachers, and mentors, and are remembered eponymically for their contributions to oncology to this day. As a passing note, the 3 surgeons also were skillful microscopists. Cancer 2018;124:230-41. © 2017 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 3 centuries reviewed herein, all that was known regarding cancer was limited to Italy, France, Germany, and England. Practically nothing was written about cancer in the rest of the known world, including the newly discovered geographic areas in the Americas, Africa, and Australia. The 7 pioneer physicians considered in this review lived through some of the most turbulent geopolitical, social, and religious upheavals that Europe had experienced during the Renaissance. Despite their diverse social, political, and religious backgrounds and disparate personalities, they were united in their commitment to the advancement of medicine and oncology and to spreading knowledge through printed texts. Collectively, they established the groundwork for modern anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathology, surgical oncology, and chemotherapy. It perhaps is noteworthy that 5 of the 7 physicians who contributed the most to the advancement of surgery and surgical oncology served in various wars as army surgeons. Considering everything together, the refusal of physicians of this epoch to use the microscope is a historical enigma. Cancer 2017;123:1888-1897. © 2017 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary highlights the onset and progression of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer from ancient times to the 15th century. During the preparation of this synoptic review of the lives and contributions to oncology of 7 ancient physicians, it became clear that despite separation by centuries, ethnicity, and religion, they had many things in common. For example, with the exception of Chauliac, all were born into wealthy families, had an excellent education in the liberal arts and sciences, and were mentored by outstanding teachers. After they became physicians, they traveled extensively, were polyglots, were sponsored by influential individuals, had inquisitive minds, searched for the true nature of diseases, and were proud to share the results of their observations with others. Except for Galen, all of them were kind and well-mannered individuals. They cared with sincere dedication for the poor and those who had untreatable disease, including cancer. Although their understanding of cancer was limited, they were deeply concerned about the neglect and hopelessness of cancer patients. They were aware of their shortcomings in offering effective treatment beyond the surgical excision of early cancers. For advanced cancers, they had nothing to give beyond palliative care with herbals and minerals. All physicians who care for cancer patients owe these pioneer physicians, whatever their shortcomings, an inexpressible debt for their attempts to cure cancer. Cancer 2016;122:1638-46. © 2016 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early 19th century, microscopy in pathology replaced gross descriptive pathology of the 18th century. Cells became known as the most important and distinct elements of benign and cancerous tissues. Thus, by the mid-1800s, a solid foundation had been laid for microscopy, and surgeons recognized that microscopic diagnosis by pathologists merited attention. In due course, preoperative microscopic diagnoses and classification of cancers in biopsy specimens were incorporated into choosing the most fitting surgical operation. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Events that took place in medicine during the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries signaled the end of the Dark Ages. The Renaissance movement, spreading from Italy across Europe, ended the religious and public prohibitions that had prevented progress in medicine. Pioneer physicians and surgeons who gave their attention to discoveries in anatomy, physiology, and chemistry established the foundations for tumor pathology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology. This review is a summary of their accomplishments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Review of the earliest written descriptions and reports of cancer show that ancient physicians and surgeons made gradual progress in understanding cancer. It became clear to most of them that early detection and complete removal, before the cancer became ulcerated, afforded the best outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]