Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41335296›Full record

ReviewLa Radiologia medica2026

Radiotherapy in Italian media: (mis)information, patients' perception and medical career choices.

Federico Gagliardi, Emma D'Ippolito, Roberta Grassi, Angelo Sangiovanni, Vittorio Salvatore Menditti, Dino Rubini, Paolo Gallo, Luca D'Ambrosio, Luca Boldrini, Viola Salvestrini and 6 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in La Radiologia medica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Federico GagliardiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Emma D'IppolitoDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Roberta GrassiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Angelo SangiovanniDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Vittorio Salvatore MendittiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Dino RubiniDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Paolo GalloDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Luca D'AmbrosioDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
Luca BoldriniRadiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 00168, Rome, Italy.
Viola SalvestriniUniversità Degli Studi Di Firenze, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.
Isacco DesideriUniversità Degli Studi Di Firenze, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.
Francesca De Feliceapienza" Università Di Roma, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.
Giuseppe Carlo IorioAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Città Della Salute E Della Scienza Di Torino, Turin, Italy.
Antonio PirasVilla Santa Teresa -Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Luca NicosiaAdvanced Radiation Oncology Department, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Cancer Care Center, Verona, Italy.
Valerio NardoneDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Via De Crecchio 7, 80138, Naples, Italy. valerio.nardone@unicampania.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7347-0965

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsThe aim of this study is to analyze how radiotherapy (RT) is perceived and portrayed by Italian media and to determine whether there is any bias or misinformation about. The study will also assess the influence of these perceptions on patients' and medical students' decisions to specialize in radiotherapy.

methodsA comprehensive review was conducted of 436 articles published in "Corriere della Sera" between 1895 and 2023, using keywords such as "radiotherapy" and "radiation." The articles were classified into positive, neutral, and negative categories, and the dominant themes and trends were analyzed.

resultsArticles on radiotherapy (RT) have significantly increased since year 2000, with a notable rise in negative publications focused on toxicities and alleged malpractice. Out of 436 articles, 74 were negative, with this trend growing in recent years, emphasizing risks over benefits in media coverage of RT.

conclusionsThe influence of media on public perception of RT is significant and influences clinical and therapeutic decisions. It is essential that the RT community continues working with media and communication professionals to promote accurate information about the benefits and advances of RT for the patients and for healthcare professionals. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study highlights the importance of accurate media portrayal of RT to improve public understanding of its benefits. Collaboration between radiation oncologists and media can help disseminate positive outcomes and dispel harmful myths to ensure a balanced and informed perception of RT.

Indexed as

Career ChoiceMass MediaRadiotherapyHumansItalyMedia sentimentPublic perceptionRadiation oncology

Identifiers

PMID41335296
PMCPMC13102734

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.