Question:
Let’s discuss the basics of each of three radiation therapy professions: Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy.
In what ways are they similar and in which ways do they differ?
Answer to Question: DME21 Fundamentals Of Professional Engineering
Professions in Medical Radiation Science
Medical radiation science encompasses a range of professions in health care. These include the performance of complex imaging studies on patients and the planning and administration radiation treatments for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.
These include radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and medical imaging.
Medical imaging professionals and those in nuclear medicine technology work in hospitals or imaging clinics. Radiation therapists do their research in clinics and centers that specialize in cancer treatments.
Medical imaging includes Xrays (planar and CT), Ultrasound, Radionuclide (SPECT or PET) and Magnetic Resonance.
Xrays typically use ionizing radio radiation if there’s an external source.
Magnetic resonance employs magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to produce anatomical pictures.
Ultrasound imaging is also a core component. It uses frequency sound waves as well as the echo pulse effects for anatomical information.
Nuclear medicine is the use radioactive areotopes. These emitters emitting gamma and similar ionizing substances.
Inhale or inject the radionuclide, then the gamma camera picks up the gamma-rays.
This radioactivity can be used to create functional images.
Radiation therapy uses high frequency waves or energy particles (e.g., protons, X-rays) to kill and destroy cancer cells.
Radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and medical imaging share many similarities.
They use various techniques, such as radionuclide (SPECT or PET), ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging to treat various conditions.
These medical science radiation professionals have some key differences. Image quality may differ between them in terms both of contrast and resolution.
A second difference is that radiation therapy, medical imaging, and nuclear radio may have different effects due to heat and ionization radiation effects.
Medical imaging is performed to obtain diagnostic photos. Nuclear medical technology then interprets these images and radiotherapy is used to treat the patients with cancer.
All medical radiation science professions have a common goal: to improve the overall health of patients and provide non-surgical treatments.
They have helped improve the quality of people’s lives.
References
A. Roobottom (G. Mitchell) and G. M. Hughes. Radiation reduction strategies in cardiac computed tomographic angiography. Clinical Radiology. Vol. 65, no. 11, pp. 859-867, 2010.
Xu and B.M.W.
Tsui. “Quantifying The Importance Of the Statistical Assumption In Statistical Xray CT Image Resolution”, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging. vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 61 – 73, 2014.
Rivaz E. M. Boctor M. A. Choti & G. D. Hager “Ultrasound Elastography Using Multi-Images”, Medical Image Analysis, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 314-329, 2014.
K. Mariappan. K. J. Glaser. and R. L. Ehman. Magnetic Resonance Elastography. 23, no. 5, pp. 497-511, 2010.