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Radiologist
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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A radiologist is a doctor whose work is based on X-ray methods. Let's take a closer look at who a radiologist is, the specifics of his work, what diseases the doctor treats and what diagnostic methods he uses in his work.
Radiology is a special section of medicine that studies the effects of ionizing radiation on humans. The task of a radiologist, as a doctor, is to conduct radiological studies that would help in the diagnosis of various diseases and treatment based on the results of radiotherapy.
The radiologist uses modern diagnostic methods that help to make an accurate diagnosis. CT, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy and many others are methods that are used in radiology and can significantly reduce patient mortality due to a correct diagnosis and timely treatment.
Who is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a doctor who diagnoses various types of diseases using X-ray methods. A radiologist provides patients with medical care based on radiology methods using special diagnostic equipment. As a rule, a radiologist takes part in a comprehensive examination, but has the right to independently issue medical opinions.
A radiologist not only diagnoses the patient's condition, but also takes part in developing a treatment plan. The doctor selects methods and methods of the safest treatment using radiation therapy. Most often, a radiologist collaborates with doctors who treat oncological diseases.
When should you see a radiologist?
The work of a radiologist is based on X-ray methods, the doctor diagnoses diseases and carries out therapeutic treatment using radiation therapy methods. Most often, patients who have received radiation and are treated for negative symptoms and consequences of the procedure are referred to a radiologist. Let's consider when you should contact a radiologist.
- Bursitis is a disease in which an inflammatory process occurs in the periarticular bags, negatively affecting the functioning of the body and the musculoskeletal system.
- A spur (heel spur) is a bone growth that appears against the background of flat feet.
- Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory disease of the tendon sheath that affects the wrist and forearm.
- Radiculitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by damage to the spinal cord nerve roots.
- Arthritis is a disease of the joints that results in degeneration and inflammation.
Also, a radiologist is referred for cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, tumors, metastases and other oncological diseases.
What tests should be taken when visiting a radiologist?
If you have been prescribed a course of radiation therapy and given a referral for radiodiagnostic diagnostics, then you should know what tests you need to take when visiting a radiologist. The standard set of tests is a general and biochemical blood test, urine test. Other tests are prescribed during the diagnosis of diseases and depend on its results.
A radiologist works in diagnostic departments and outpatient clinics. Each oncology center has a radiologist who takes part in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer of varying severity, in patients of all ages. The doctor makes a treatment plan for cancer patients based on the results of diagnostics and tests, consulting with other specialists.
What diagnostic methods does a radiologist use?
Each doctor uses certain diagnostic methods in their practice that help identify the disease and make a treatment plan. Let's look at what diagnostic methods a radiologist uses.
- Ultrasound, CT and MRI allow us to examine the patient’s body and find lesions in organs and tissues that require treatment.
- Radiography and fluoroscopy are used to identify functional symptoms of diseases.
- Echocardiography is a diagnostic examination of the heart and cardiovascular system using pulsed ultrasound.
- Thoracoscopy is a diagnostic examination method using an endoscope. It is used to examine the inner surface of the pleural cavity.
- Bronchography and bronchoscopy are methods of X-ray examination of the tracheobronchial tree. They are used to detect bronchoestasis, tumors, cysts and bronchial obstruction.
What does a radiologist do?
What does a radiologist do and what are his responsibilities - a question that interests many patients who have received a referral to this specialist. So, a radiologist is a doctor whose specialty is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases using radiation therapy and methods of medical radiology.
A radiologist performs radiodiagnostic procedures to establish a diagnosis. Conducts radiotherapeutic procedures that help improve the health of patients and act as a preventive measure against various diseases. Radiologists work in medical and treatment institutions, in diagnostic departments, oncology centers and outpatient clinics.
What diseases does a radiologist treat?
What diseases does a radiologist treat if the main task of the doctor is to monitor the condition and operation of equipment and conduct radiodiagnostic procedures? The main group of the doctor's patients are people who have undergone a course of radiation and have negative consequences after this procedure.
Patients with tumors, oncological diseases of the mammary glands, skin, gastrointestinal tract, genitals, brain, bronchi and other organs come to see a radiologist. A radiologist deals with therapeutic treatment of metastases, lymphomas, arthritis, radiculitis, lymphogranulomatosis using radiation therapy methods.
Advice from a radiologist
Advice from a radiologist will help you prepare for a radiodiagnostic study and the diagnostic methods used to recognize cancer and to plan treatment.
- Diagnostics of abdominal organs with ultrasound
It is recommended to conduct diagnostics in the morning, on an empty stomach. When diagnostics are performed in the afternoon, only a light breakfast is allowed in the morning, but so that the time interval between eating and the examination is at least 6 hours. A few days before the diagnostics, it is necessary to exclude from the diet foods that provoke gas formation and flatulence. The examination is prohibited after colonoscopy and fibrogastroscopy.
- Diagnostics of pelvic organs and mammary glands
If the procedure is performed through the abdomen, it is recommended to drink a liter of still water an hour before the examination. If the examination is intracavitary, then drinking water is prohibited, since the bladder must be empty. Diagnostics of the mammary glands is carried out on any day of the cycle, and to clarify or confirm the diagnosis in the first 7 days of the cycle.
- Prostate and bladder diagnostics in men
Before the diagnostics, you need to drink a liter of liquid, and 10 hours before the procedure, do an enema. Studies of the lungs, kidneys, thyroid gland, heart and other organs do not require special preparation, so they can be carried out at any time.
A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in radiography and radiological research methods. The doctor deals with radiation therapy and diagnoses diseases for the presence of oncology, tumors and other lesions that have a negative impact on the functioning of the body and the health of patients.