Posted 3 weeks ago
What does a Dosimetrist do?
You may never encounter a dosimetrist during your cancer journey, but if you’ve undergone any type of radiation treatment, a dosimetrist was involved. Dosimetrists play a crucial role in treating cancer patients by ensuring the precise planning and delivery of radiation therapy. Dosimetrists develop precise radiation treatment plans for cancer patients. They use computers to create a three-dimensional representation of the patient’s anatomy based on imaging studies such as CT, MRI, or PET scans. This allows them to accurately target the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissues as much as possible.
Medical dosimetrists work closely with a multidisciplinary team which includes radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists, surgeons and radiologic technologists. They discuss the best treatment strategies and make necessary adjustments to the plan as needed. Dosimetrists monitor the treatment process to ensure all protocols and safety measures are followed. They maintain detailed records for each patient, ensuring that the treatment is administered as planned. Dosimetrists play a crucial role in the successful treatment of cancer patients through radiation therapy. If you or a loved one is undergoing radiation therapy for cancer, you can take comfort in knowing that dosimetrists have ensured your treatment plan is safe and effective.
Learn more about Radiation Oncology at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Each year, the third Wednesday of August is designated as the day for celebrating medical dosimetry professionals around the world. This year #NationalMedicalDosimetristsDay occurs on August 21, 2024!