Nuclear Physics Medical Elementology as a Section of Medical Radiology

Abstract

Purpose: Medical elementology and its subsection nuclear physics medical elementology, as the most important areas of biomedical science, are still insufficiently included in the arsenal of medical radiology as a fundamental basis for the development and use of new methods for diagnosing and treating various diseases, including oncological ones. For the successful establishment of nuclear physics medical elementology as a new scientific discipline, it is necessary to develop a clear methodology for its further development. Results: The definition of the subject of research and the main postulates of medical elementology is given. The close interrelation of knowledge about the content and metabolism of chemical elements, as well as their radioactive and stable isotopes, with the needs of medical radiology is shown. The following areas of research are considered: 1) The use of chemical elements, as well as their radioactive and stable isotopes in medicine; 2) Visualization of organs and tissues, as well as in vivo determination of the content of chemical elements in them; 3) Nuclear physical methods for determining chemical elements in samples of tissues and fluids of the human body in solving oncological problems; 4) The role of chemical elements in calculating absorbed doses during radiotherapy; 5) The use of nuclear physical methods in the formation of groups at increased risk of cancer. A range of modern nuclear physics analytical methods acceptable in clinical practice and as an adequate research tool is outlined. The need for the integrated use of nuclear physics analytical technologies to obtain reference values ​​for the content of chemical elements in various organs, tissues and fluids of the human body in normal and various pathological conditions, as well as to organize the strictest quality control of measurements and unify methodological approaches is demonstrated. The modern possibilities of using the achievements of nuclear physics medical elementology in solving the problems of medical radiology are determined and the priorities for the future are outlined. Conclusion: The steady development of nuclear physical methods of chemical elements analysis and their implementation in medicine is constantly expanding the scope of possibilities of medical elementology. The development of this area will certainly make a significant contribution to the future successes of medical radiology.