This book outlines the history of the development of nuclear medicine and describes the hurdles that nuclear medicine has had to face, in view of the perception of risk of radiation. Up to the present day, the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been primarily surgical. When a mass or an enlarged lymph node is detected, immediate attempts are made to remove it or obtain a histological diagnosis by biopsy. Today, characterization of molecular processes in cancerous lesions by PET can help to determine whether therapy should be aggressive or postponed. The most important reason for the rapid acceptance of PET imaging is its value in the care of patients with suspected or known cancer, for establishing the diagnosis, planning and monitoring therapy, and in detecting early recurrence.Written for nuclear medicine professionals, non-nuclear medicine physicians and the public, this book chronicles the development of nuclear medicine together with its basic philosophy in the past, present and future.
Industry Reviews
From the reviews: "This is a personal memoir of Henry N. Wagner, Jr., MD, perhaps the most influential person in the development of clinical nuclear medicine worldwide. There has been almost no one of significance in nuclear medicine that Dr. Wagner has not interacted with in some capacity over his five-decade career in nuclear medicine. This book is a chronicle of those interactions and a description of the evolution of nuclear medicine over the period. This is a superb description of the evolution of nuclear medicine over five decades. It serves not only as a description of events and people in nuclear medicine, but also as a model for how histories should be constructed in other fields from the memoirs of influential individuals. There is no comparable book that addresses this evolution in nuclear medicine. This book is recommended for anyone interested in how curiosity about potential applications of a new science (atomic energy in this case) can be developed in medicine." (William R. Hendee, DOODY REVIEW FROM Doody Enterprises, Inc. - COPYRIGHT 2007) "The book is of rigorous historical value. Henry N. Wagner had a very long career characterised by the excellence of his research ! . he is certainly in a good position to provide an evidence-based and critically constructed history of nuclear medicine ! . This is a very well written story of a life intensely lived, providing evidence that nuclear medicine can be, indeed ! a great passion. Therefore, I strongly recommend this book to both expert and young nuclear physicians ! ." (L. Mansi, European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Vol. 34 (3), 2007) "Among physicians who specialize in nuclear medicine, Henry Wagner is an internationally acclaimed authority ! . A Personal History of Nuclear Medicine is a natural culmination of Dr. Wagner's enormous professional accomplishments and contributions to the field. ! this highly informative, semiautobiographical account also brings alive the people, places and events that have shaped nuclear medicine from its early formative times to the present day. ! Dr. Wagner's book will serve as a seminal primer and guide ! . indeed a 'must read'." (S. Ted Treves, European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Vol. 34 (3), 2007) "A Personal History of Nuclear Medicine traces nuclear medicine from its inception, in the early 20th century, to the present day ! . The book is penned in a characteristically realistic writing style. ! is not only a good descriptive history book but is also a philosophic resource containing amazing wisdom and gracious humor. This book will benefit medical students, clinicians at large, radiologists, and nuclear medicine physicians, as well as researchers and academicians in all allied fields." (Yong-Whee Bahk, Radiology, Vol. 245 (2), 2007)
