Ideally the diagnosis is made prior to the onset of symptoms through screening tests such as : Stool blood test. Sigmoidoscopy -  It examines the rectum and sigmoid colon with a flexible scope that has a camera to see the inside of the sigmoid colon This test has been largely replaced by colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is similar to the sigmoidoscopy. A flexible scope has a camera to visualize the inside lining of the entire colorectum that can also remove polyps and cauterize other lesions.  Virtual colonoscopy is a CT test similar to it’s predecessor, the barium enema. During the test the colon is filled with air and a CT is done. Treatment for colorectal involves surgery, chemotherapy and or radiation. Screening should be a high priority to promote early detection. Age 50 or older should follow these screening guides. Annual fecal occoult blood testing. Flexible sigmoidoscopy should be done every 5 to 10 years or virtual colonscopy every 5 to 10 years and others with significant risk factors should be screened more often.  Lastly, prevention involves lifestyle changes inherent in healthy living which includes regular exercise, a diet low in saturated fat, limited alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking cessation.

This information is not meant to replace consultation with your physician regarding your individual circumstances. This article is to provide useful information, not medical advice. Always consult with your doctor if you think you may have related symptoms.

Computed tomography is just one of several imaging modalities used for detection of cancer.  If you are interested in learning more about how to become a radiologic technologist and programs with Computed Tomography certificates, learn more at the radiology technician schools page in this site.

Currently used equipment, known as real time scanners, take continuous pictures of the moving fetus which can be depicted on a monitor. They are emitted from a transducer placed in contact with the maternal abdomen and moved around to look at any content within the uterus. Repetitive arrays of ultrasound beams scan the fetus in thin slices and are reflected back onto the same transducer. The information is recomposed back into a picture on the monitor screen ( a sonogram, or ultrasonogram). Movements like fetal heart beat and malformations in the fetus can be assessed accurately on the screen. These measurements form the cornerstone in the assessment of gestational age, size and growth in the fetus. A full bladder is often required for the procedure when abdominal scanning is done in early pregnancy. There is no sensation at all from the ultrasound waves.

ULTRASOUND USED IN PREGNANCY

Ultrasound is safe, noninvasive, accurate and cost effective. It plays an important role in the case of every pregnant woman. The main uses of ultrasonography are to diagnose and confirm early pregnancy or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy. In the presence of first trimester bleeding, ultrasonography is also indispensable in the early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancies and molar pregnancies. Determination of gestational age and assessment of fetal size is important. Fetal measurements  tell the age of the fetus. In patients with uncertain last menstrual periods, measurements must be made as early as possible to arrive at a correct dating for the patient.

Measurements are usually made of the crown-rump length and the bi parietal diameter. The bi parietal diameter is the diameter between the two sides of the head. Babies of the same weight can have different head size. Dating using the BPD should be done early. The abdominal circumference is the single most important measurement to make in late pregnancy. It tells of fetal size and weight. Serial measurements are useful in monitoring growth of the fetus.

Diagnosis of fetal malformation is important because the risk of having a baby with chromosonal abnormality increases with the mothers age. Abnormalities can be diagnosed by an ultrasound scan. Common abnormalities can be spina bifida, cleft lips/ palate, congenital cardiac abnormalities and many more. First trimester ultrasonic soft markers are now in common use to enable detection of Down Syndrome fetuses. Ultrasound can also be used in other diagnostic procedures, which are many.

Ultrasonography has become very imporant in localization of the site of the placenta and determining its lower edges, thus making a diagnosis  of placenta previa. Other placental abnormalities can also be assessed. In the situation of multiple pregnancies, ultrasonography is invaluable in knowing the number of fetuses, like twins. Hydramnios and oligohydramnios, excessive or decreased amniotic fluid can be clearly depicted by ultrasound. Both conditions can have adverse effects on the fetus.

Other areas of interest are confirmation of intrauterine death, confirmation of fetal presentation in uncertain cases. Also evaluating fetal movements, tone and breathing in the biophysical profile.

I’ve tried to provide a bit more detail in this post about obstetric sonography and its role in monitoring pregnancy. Obstetric ultrasound scans have become a vitally important part of being pregnant and taking good care of yourself and your baby. There’s a lot more to it than waving a wand around a pregnant belly and determining the sex of the fetus, like we tend to see on television. If you think you have what it takes to become an obstetric sonographer, start by getting information directly from ultrasonography schools.

To make a medical assistant career go smoothly you need a knowledge base which includes anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology and medical billing. They are highly versatile professionals in both clinical and administrative realms. You also communicate with a variety of people including doctors, nurses, patients, medical billing staff, insurance representatives and pharmacists.

A Typical Day as a Medical Assistant

In a typical day as a medical asssistant, your primary responsibility is to ensure everything is running smoothly. You are an extra set of hands for nurses and health administrators. You stock supplies, answer phones, set up EKG’s, draw blood or explain treatment procedures to patients. You’ll need to solve problems and be everywhere at once, while staying calm and professional. When a patient comes in, you’ll record their medical history, discuss symptoms and take their vital signs. Help make the patient feel comfortable as possible and prepare them to meet the doctor. A medical assistant career can be demanding both emotionally and physically. Skills to assist physicians by performing administrative and basic clinical duties in an office or medical center are essential.

There are also other assistant career specialties in health care like a Podiatric assistant who makes castings of feet, exposes and develops x-rays, and assists podiatrists in surgery. Another option is to assist ophthalmologists in providing medical eye care. There are many duties required like conducting diagnostic tests, measuring and recording vision and testing eye muscle function and many more tasks to perform. They may also assist in surgery.

Working with the patients may be one of the challenging parts of your job. You’re often the one dealing with upset patients and need to keep them calm and listen to their problems and complaints and find a solution for them. Make it clear that you’re not a nurse and have different licensing. A doctor or nurse must order everything you do. Being a caring, empathetic, and a non- judgemental person is important to the patient. Always remember it’s best to be highly organized and a good multi tasker which is crucial to the job.

Education Requirements for Medical Assisting

To get a certificate in medical assisting it will take about 10 months. A medical assistant career is definitely a rewarding one with room for growth. You must enjoy the versatility of medical assisting and contribute to the way the office operates. If you decide to move up, you can go to school to become a nurse or physicians assistant. Or you can move into a management or supervisory role. Remember, starting out as a medical assistant gives you the upper hand over people who are going straight into nursing from high school. The rewards in a medical assistant career are great and you will become a respectful member of the medical community if not just the community in general.

To become an RA you must complete a radiology masters degree program and pass an ARRT exam designed specifically for the RA position. One of the schools that offers a Radiologist Assistant program is Quinnipiac University.

Radiologist Assistant Job Descriptions include working closely with a physician in a high level role, performing advanced techniques to diagnose illness. Radiologists have knowledge in multiple image modalities with an advanced level of knowledge of anatomy, technique, and radiographic physics. The Radiologist Assistant works under the supervision of a Radiologist M.D. by assisting the Radiologist in the diognostic imaging environment. The R.A. is a valuable addition to the radiology team by performing advanced level radilogical services under the supervision of a radiologist, freeing up the time of the physician.

Radiologist Assistants have the highest salaries of all the radiology positions with exception of the Radiologist M.D.’s. Radiologist Salary Outlook : Low-$90,076 Medium – $102,972 High – $112,615 .

There has been an ongoing shortage of Radiologist MD’s which has been of great concern. In order to alleviate the effects of the heavy work load the position of Radiologist Assistant had been added by the ARRT.

The demand for skilled R.A.’s is very high and will continue to be high untill the shortage of Radiologists can be filled. Their has never been a better time to find positions paying over 100k per year in the field of radiology. It is not only a rewarding experience, but one that will take your career and salary level to significantly greater heights.

According to Cyberknife Long Island Radiation Therapy, rapid arch radiotherapy technology is a new approach to image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IGRT/IMRT) that delivers precise treatments in shorter times than conventional IMRT. The way the treatment works is that it delivers treatments using a  varian  linear accelerator, outfitted with an onboard Image System and Cone Beam CT (CBCT) for using images to guide patient placement and treatment delivery. The linear accelerator rotates around the patient to deliver radiation treatments from nearly any angle. During the treatment  radiation is shaped and reshaped as it is delivered continuously from every angle in a 360-degree revolution around the patient.

Like other radiation therapies, the treatments are planned using sophisticated computer programs that analyze diagnostic image data and calculate the best way of delivering the radiation dose to minimize impact on healthy tissues for each patient.  There is a need for a variety of specialists working together, including nuclear medicine technologists to help administer the radiation doses, Radiology Tech’s such as a CT Tech to monitor the progress, and of course radiation therapists to carry out the procedures.

Prior to treatment, the exact location, size, and shape of the tumor is visualy observed by a simple 2 minute imaging procedure using the machines on-board imager or Cone Beam CT.  After image completion they are reviewed by the therapist so the patients position can be adjusted in order for a more accurate treatment to be delivered. All adjustments are made by the treatment couch.

The treatment is delivered quickly , in less than 2 minutes and with just one turn around the patient, it shapes and modulates a highly focused beam so that it targets the tumor precisely, sparing healthy surrounding tissue. It uses pinpoint accuracy and is easier on the patient, who does not have to hold still for long periods of time.

This radiotherapy technology is a new revolution in cancer care. It can treat types of cancer in significantly less time and less damage to healthy tissues, which has been a challenge for years, and the entire treatment is completed with a single rotation of the machine.

Rapid Arch is a  new approach to delivering image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT). Image guidance tumor targeting, and IMRT shapes the radiation dose so that it conforms closely to the three dimensional shape of the tumor which means more radiation is delivered to the tumor and less to the healthy surrounding tissues. The treatments are fast and time is reduced by about 80%..

Week-end breaks allow normal cells to recover. Other factors come into the recovery time , like the total doses of radiation and the number of treatments a patient needs . All in all Rapid Arch Radiation Therapy with IGRT seems to be the one of the best new ways for cancer treatment.

Working with x-ray technology is often described as both an art and a science.  When the X-Ray Tech performs the procedure, the rays are transmitted through the area of the body being examined and an “impression” or radiograph is left on a screen.  On the screen, you can view bones, tissues, and organs in either standard x-ray film or more recently, by using digital technology.  The solid and dense portions will appear whiter and the softer tissues will be more of a gray color.  The softer tissues don’t create as much imaging resistance, which is why their color appears less white.  If a bone is broken, there will be an abnormality in the form and there may be a break in the white coloration, which will help to confirm that a bone is broken.

X-Ray  jobs take place in hospitals, doctor’s offices, radiology clinics, dental offices and even convalescent homes. Some go on to learn other aspects of  radiology careers and imaging techniques such as ultrasound jobs, magnectic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized  tomography (Cat scans or CT scans). The possiblities are wide open and the demand is great, and there are many x-ray schools to choose from.  The next time you twist your ankle, you better get yourself a good X-Ray Tech to take a picture of it to see if it’s sprained or broken.

In the last twenty years the Ultrasound Technicians have used  machines that were big and immensly bulky, heavy and requires an outlet nearby, not to mention the cost of one on these big machines, 20,000 to 250,000 dollars. It has been hinted that the new Vscan hand held device will be marketed during 2010. No pricing information has been anticipated as of yet.

Ultrasound was first introduced as a medical application in the 1950’s. The cost of the devices have kept them from becoming universally available, despite the benefits to both patients and clinicians.

George K. Lewis, the inventor of the Vscan, envisions his ultrasound device to help aim pulses of energy to temporarily seal gunshot wounds in the battlefiled and to help doctors to do rapid diagnoses in emerging and rapidly changing conditions in emergency room situations. He also sees the low cost of his device bringing a much needed tool to researchers at a low cost that will allow research of other applications of ultrasound

The Vscan is a microphone like wand attached to the main body of the device that sends and receives sound wave data upon contact with the body. It is then translated into an image on the Vscan screen for analysis by the physician. It can zoom in and out, pan right to left and other image controls are taken care of with a familiar dial key interface on the lower half of the clam- shell body. Images are rendered in real time in black and white, but color overlays can be added.

General Electric has confirmed the company will next embark on a clinical study involving different situations and see how it will impact on patients care.

Ultra portable ultrasound would truely be an improvement in certain situations for many physicians and patients around the world and will soon be taught in Ultrasound Schools and used widely by physicians just like the stethoscope was decades ago.

Nuclear Medicine

The  radiopharmaceuticals are detected by special cameras that work with computers to provide precise pictures of the area of the body being imaged.  These are called gamma cameras.  The amount of radiation used is equivalent to that received during a diagnostic X-Ray and kept within safe limits.

According to SNM Resource Center, nuclear medicine offers procedures that are essential in many medical specialties, from pediatrics, cardiology to psychiatry. Nuclear medicine treatments target and pinpoint molecular levels within the body and are revolutionizing our understanding of and approach to a range of diseases and conditions. Nuclear medicine uses cost effective techniques that are safe and painless to image the body and treat diseases. It is unique in the way that it provides information on structure and function both unlike regular imaging techniques such as those performed by Radiographers. It is also cost effective beause it doesn’t require more expensive diagnostic tests or surgery. Nuclear medicine’s ability to capture the cellular level function of an organ can help to identify abnormalities earlier than regular  diagnostic tests.

So, the next time you hear someone talking about nuclear medicine, you’ll know it’s a safe and effective way of treating and diagnosing diseases just like other common medical imaging procedures used among the radiology professions.

Diagnostic tools for detection like MRI (magnectic resonance imaging) produce a very thorough exam for at-risk patients. The latest evolution is MRI breast coil technology.  It  allows a detailed view of the breast by gathering 1,000 images of the tissue simultaneously. This is done by a specially trained radiology professional. Breast signal receivers or coils surround the breast transforming it into digital images viewed by a computer. Images are taken before and after of a contrast material to provide a detailed composition of the tissues and map of blood flow within the breast. This further enhances the images and reduces the time required for the exam. It also is much more comfortable than the regular mammogram.  Doctors who have used the technology tout it as highly accurate compared to its predecessor.   Also, in digital mammography, the images can be adjusted and enhanced after the fact, which can help the physician zoom in on areas of interest.

Maybe new and highly accurate digital technology will solve the problem of so many misdiagnosed cases and decrease the need for further testing.  If cost is the issue, perhaps a highly accurate initial scan is the answer.