Introduction

Abstract

The branch of physics that concerns the applications of physics to medicine is called medical physics. The discovery of x-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in 1895 brought a revolution in the fields of science and medicine and has opened a path to a new interdisciplinary branch medical physics. In fact, the first x-ray photograph was made by Roentgen himself in late 1895, within about a month of his discovery. Physicians on both sides of the Atlantic were routinely using x-rays in diagnostic radiography within a year. This set a record for the rapid adoption of a new technology in practical applications. Today medical physics has become a very broad area, and it is considered as a separate field of studies. Medical physics is an applied physics that uses the principles of physics in more practical problems of diagnosing and treating abnormal tissues. Radiations are generally used for both diagnoses and treatment purposes. The birth and spread of abnormal tissues or a tumor have been a major problem human beings face. Cancer is considered as the second major cause of death in the world after heart attack. The major work of a medical physicist is to diagnose and treat a tumor or cancer. It can be classified in a number of subfields or specialties. The branch of medical physics that deals with the treatment of abnormal tissues or a tumor is called therapeutic medical physics. Though treating cancer is very important but if it is not diagnosed in its early stages, then the spread of tumor makes it impossible to treat. Therefore, along with its treatment, it is equally important to diagnose a tumor in its early stages. The subspecialty of medical physics that handles the diagnoses of a tumor or abnormal tissues is called diagnostic imaging physics. It is also possible that a tumor be diagnosed and treated using radiopharmaceuticals instead of treating or diagnosing externally. This area of medical physics is referred as nuclear medicine. No matter it is the diagnoses of abnormal tissues or the treatment of a tumor but saving and providing minimum possible damage to the normal tissues is the top priority of a medical physicist. This branch of medical physics concerns with the saving and protection of normal tissues from the hazardous effects of radiation and is called radiation protection or medical health physics. In all branches of medical physics it is, mainly, the radiation used to diagnose or treat an abnormal tissue or cells.