Nuclear Medicine Essay

Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Röntgen, radiology has contributed substantially to the medical field. Today, X-rays are still considered to be one of the most important tools in diagnostic imaging. Further advancements in imaging have combined the use of nuclear science and radiography and is known as nuclear medicine.

In 1946, nuclear medicine was introduced to the world in a form of an “atomic cocktail” (What is Nuclear Medicine, 2008). It played an important role in treating thyroid cancers. The patient would ingest the cocktail and the radiation from the iodine would destroy the cancerous cells. The use of iodine changed from curing cancer to actually measuring the function of an organ. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that nuclear medicine was fine-tuned and its’ use began to spread. The invention of an automated scanner, called a radioscope, was invented by Benedict Cassen (Blahd, 2000). This new discovery helped physicians diagnose their patients with hyperthyroidism. In the 1960’s, nuclear medicine became recognized as a specialty. The wheels continued to turn and more advancements were made. In the 1970’s, most of the human body could now be visualized using nuclear medicine (What is Nuclear Medicine, 2008). In the 1980’s, one of the more significant contributions to nuclear medicine was the invention of radiopharmaceuticals. A radiopharmaceutical is a drug that consists of radioactive materials called radioisotopes. These radiopharmaceuticals are specially formalized to travel to specific parts of the body. In small doses, they are used for imaging purposes. In larger doses, they are able to treat different types of cancers (Radiopharmaceuticals, 2013). In the 1990’s, PET scanning became essential in produ...

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... must pass the exams developed by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (2010).

There are still many benefits to a nuclear study over x-rays. There is little pain involved in the studies, making it a good option for children and the elderly. The amount of radiation that a patient receives during a nuclear medicine study is typically the same or less to the amount they would receive from an x-ray. They are cost effective and offer patients more options. (What is Nuclear Medicine, 2008) Direct cancer treatments also make this specialty even more promising for the future. I foresee that nuclear medicine will become the norm as more patients understand the benefits. This news is also promising to future nuclear medicine technologists as career prospects continue to rise (La Verne Tolley Gurley., et al 2010).