The radiology team is led by 1 or more radiologists. Radiologists interpret the results of exams, do certain procedures, consult with other healthcare providers in other specialties, and make sure of the overall quality performance of the entire team.
Read on to learn about the role of the radiologist.
Nuclear medicine is a specialized area of radiology. It uses very small amounts of radioactive materials to examine organ function and structure. This branch of radiology is often used to help diagnose and treat abnormalities very early in the progression of a disease, such as thyroid cancer.
External beam therapy is a type of therapeutic radiology that is delivered externally from a machine directed to the cancer inside the patient. Examples of external beam therapy machines include linear accelerators, cobalt machines, or orthovoltage X-ray machines.
Brachytherapy is radiation treatment that is given directly into your body. It is placed as close to the cancer as possible. The radiation is given using tiny devices, such as wires, seeds, or rods filled with radioactive materials. These devices are called implants.
Learn about the 3 types of radiosurgery. This treatment uses focused beams of radiation to treat cancer tissues without making a surgical cut (incision). It's called surgery because it creates a result similar to an actual surgical procedure.
One newer therapy combines radiation and chemotherapy, because in some cases, radiation may improve the effects of chemotherapy, and vice versa. Another therapy uses external beam radiation during surgery to treat cancerous tumors or certain other forms of cancer.
Questions to ask your healthcare provider if you are having radiation therapy.
Detailed information on radiation therapy, one type of cancer treatment.