Week#6: The Beginning

According to http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Nuclear-Medicine.aspx , researchers believe the birth of this medical specialty probably occurred somewhere between 1934 when artificial radioactivity was first discovered and 1946 when radionuclides were first produced for medical use by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Nuclear medicine first became recognized as a potential medical specialty in 1946 when it was described by Sam Seidlin in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Seidlin reported on the success of radioactive iodine (I-131) in treating a patient with advanced thyroid cancer. Later, the use of I-131 was expanded to applications such as thyroid gland imaging, hyperthyroidism treatment and quantification of thyroid function.

By the 1950s, the clinical use of nuclear medicine had become widespread as researchers increased their understanding of detecting radioactivity and using radionuclides to monitor biochemical processes. Several researchers worked tirelessly to establish the efficacy, safety and diagnostic and therapeutic potential of this speciality.

In 1971, the American Medical Association acknowledged nuclear medicine as an official medical specialty and in 1972, the American Board of Nuclear Medicine was formed.

Today, there are approximately 100 different nuclear medicine imaging procedures which provide information about nearly every organ system. Nuclear medicine is now an integral part of patient care and is extremely valuable in the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of numerous medical conditions.

The nuclear medicine it is a breakthrough for science and medicine. Even when its beginning it is not clearly, the truth is that the important is than someone discovered it. This type of medicine can save lives and it is the important.