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Triptic FIsico MEdico

The document discusses the role of medical physicists in cancer treatment. Medical physicists oversee radiation machines and ensure treatments are delivered correctly. They consult with doctors on treatment plans and supervise computer planning of radiation beams. Medical physicists have advanced degrees and certification, and contribute to research improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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Victor Worch Arriaga
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42 views2 pages

Triptic FIsico MEdico

The document discusses the role of medical physicists in cancer treatment. Medical physicists oversee radiation machines and ensure treatments are delivered correctly. They consult with doctors on treatment plans and supervise computer planning of radiation beams. Medical physicists have advanced degrees and certification, and contribute to research improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Uploaded by

Victor Worch Arriaga
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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treatment

You will see firsthand the modern machines that produce the radiation used for your treatments. Some worry or apprehension is natural, but you can be sure the treatment machines will do just the right thing each day you come in for your treatment. Before the machine (usually a Linear Accelerator) is ever used for treatment, the Medical Physicist carefully tests and measures the radiation from it. These tests can take one to two months. At the end of the testing, he or she enters all the information about the machine into a sophisticated computer system that will be used to make pictures of the radiation distribution for your doctor to review. The Medical Physicist oversees (or performs) the daily, weekly and monthly testing and quality assurance of the treatment machines and planning computers. You may have the opportunity to meet your Medical Physicist; on occasion he or she will work with your radiation therapist during one of your treatment sessions. You may see your Medical Physicist if you have therapy with radioactive materials since the Medical Physicist is also responsible for the dose calculation and handling of the material used in this type of therapy.

Linear Accelerators, Nuclear Medicine camerasall these were developed by or with Medical Physicists. In fact, the Nobel Prize for Medicine has twice been awarded to Medical Physicists!

s the sophistication of cancer care has increased, the makeup of the treatment team has changed. In addition to the Doctor (Radiation Oncologist) and Nurse, your caregivers will also likely include professionals with unfamiliar names such as Radiation Therapist, Medical Dosimetrist and Medical Physicist. Medical Physicists have the overall responsibility for the technical aspects of your treatment in the Radiation Oncology Department. The Medical Physicist will consult with your physician regarding the prescription for your treatment, supervise the computerized planning of the radiation beams and their placement and work with the other members of the treatment team to make certain that your treatment is exactly what the doctor ordered.

certification
Medical Physicists have either a Masters or Doctoral degree and clinical training in an academic medical center. In addition, the American Board of Radiology, the American Board of Medical Physics and the Canadian College of Medical Physicists certify qualified Medical Physicists. The high standards of these organizations make board certification an important indicator of qualification for a Medical Physicist. Whether or not your have an opportunity to meet the Medical Physicist who is involved in your care, you can be assured that he or she brings skills, knowledge and commitment that you can rely on during your cancer therapy.

RESEARCH
Many Medical Physicists are involved in research leading to better cancer diagnosis and treatment. CT Scanners, MRI scanners,

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