How is radiation therapy used in medical science?

The idea of Radiation Therapy has developed a hundred years ago. It is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. Different types of rays are used for the treatment namely X-Rays and Gamma rays. Radiographers work with radiologists and other scientists in medical practitioners to provide with a wide range of diagnostic examinations to the patients.

Medical professionals inject a small amount of a radioisotope into the body of the patient. The organ picks up the radioisotope and a camera takes the detailed picture of how that organ is functioning.

Uses of Radiation Therapy in Medical Science

• Cancerous cells can be damaged by radiation therapy. For example, Mammography uses a low-dose X-ray equipment to obtain images of the breast to assist in the diagnosis of breast cancer.

• The Higher dose of radiation is required for tumor eradication of the head, neck, cervix, breast, limbs and pelvic regions.

• Total skin radiation is useful in the treatment of mycosis fungicides and other rare lymphomas of the skin.

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound allows imaging of tiny tendons and nerves for degeneration or tears.

The technology within the field of radiation therapy is constantly developing with the view of achieving optimal conformation of the radiation beam to the tumor volume. This balance is quite important to achieve. Thus, these radiations are a boon for medical science.