Permanent vs. Temporary Set-Up Marks in Radiation Therapy

When it comes to radiation therapy set-up marks, one question continues to come up across departments: Should we be using permanent tattoos or temporary marks? The answer has always been: it depends. But today, that answer is evolving.

Radiation therapists are being asked to balance more than just accuracy. Workflow efficiency, patient comfort, and long-term experience all play a role. And increasingly, teams are looking for options that don’t force a trade-off between them.

The Millimeters You Don’t Get Back

It’s the first appointment of the morning. She’s early. Quiet. First mammogram. You call her name and notice the tight smile, the one that says, “I’m trying to be brave about this”. You’ve performed thousands of mammograms. You know how much this exam depends on trust. On relaxation. On the subtle difference between leaning in and pulling away.

When she steps up to the unit, she glances at the receptor plate. “That looks cold.”

It’s a small comment. But you’ve seen what happens next when nothing changes. Shoulders lift. Breath shortens. The body guards itself. And guarded bodies are harder to position.

Carry the Patient’s Story Into Every MRI Image

Every MRI exam is a handoff. A patient explains where it hurts. A technologist translates that concern into positioning and protocol. A radiologist interprets the images. When that transfer is clear, the exam moves smoothly through your department. When it’s not, small uncertainties can slow things down. Clarification calls happen. Interpretation takes longer. In some cases, patients return for repeat imaging.

As an MRI Supervisor, you are responsible for keeping those handoffs clear and consistent across technologists, scanners, and sequences. Often, it is the smallest details that make the biggest difference.

Standardizing CT Simulation to Protect Dose Calculation Accuracy

In radiation oncology, medical physicists work hard to protect dose calculation accuracy. Commissioning, algorithm validation, imaging QA, and machine performance are all tightly controlled. But accuracy doesn’t begin in the planning system. It begins at CT simulation.

One small but repeatable input that can affect planning consistency is the type of skin marker used during simulation, particularly when that marker becomes incorporated into the automatic body contour.

Breast Density: Why It Matters More Than You Think

When it comes to mammograms, one size does not fit all. That is especially true for women with dense breast tissue, a common but often misunderstood factor that can impact both cancer risk and the accuracy of imaging.

When Patient Discomfort Gets in the Way of Setup Precision

Radiation therapy depends on repeatability. What’s established at simulation needs to show up the same way every day. Most of the time it does but small, human factors can quietly get in the way. One of the most common factors is setup marking. When marking causes discomfort, anxiety, or confusion for patients, it rarely stops treatment outright. Instead, it shows up later as extra questions at the table, marks that don’t look quite the same as before, or a brief pause during image review to make sure everything still lines up.

Breast Cancer Screening in Pregnant and Lactating Women

Breast cancer screening for pregnant and lactating women can be complex, with conflicting recommendations leading to confusion among patients and referring providers.1 Common concerns include potential fetal risks, effects on breast milk, imaging effectiveness due to changes in breast density, and radiation-induced cancer risks. This article clarifies the safety and efficacy of breast imaging modalities—digital mammography, tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), ultrasound, and breast MRI—for pregnant and lactating women.

Screening protocols should align with those for non-pregnant, non-lactating women based on age, history, and risk stratification, while addressing unique considerations for fetal and infant safety.1, 2, 3 Radiologists and mammography technologists must be prepared to discuss risks, benefits, and options with patients and providers.

How to Transform Fear into Trust in Mammography

For many women, scheduling a mammogram can bring up fear, uncertainty, and even memories of difficult past experiences. Anxiety often begins long before they arrive for their exam. Concerns about pain, embarrassment, or what the results might show can make the process feel overwhelming. These emotions sometimes lead to delayed screenings, incomplete exams, or hesitation to return.

New Year, New Protocols: How to Reassess Your CT Imaging Workflows in 2026

As 2026 begins, many imaging departments are looking to reset, refresh, and optimize how they operate. The start of a new year is a perfect time to reassess protocols, re-examine bottlenecks, and identify ways to improve both departmental efficiency and patient experience. For technologists and supervisors, small adjustments in workflow can lead to measurable improvements in throughput, scan quality, and patient satisfaction. One area that often gets overlooked in this process? The drinking preparation for CT abdominal exams.

From Simulation to Planning: Why Clear CT Data Matters More Than Ever in 2026

As a new year begins, many radiation oncology teams reflect on what is working well and where small refinements could make a meaningful difference. With the continued growth of AI driven planning, adaptive therapy, and automated contouring, one reality has become increasingly clear: the clarity of CT simulation data matters more than ever.

Technology continues to evolve rapidly , but even the most sophisticated planning systems depend on what comes out of the simulation room. That is why many departments are starting 2026 with a renewed focus on the fundamentals that quietly support the entire workflow: image clarity, consistency in setup, and the accuracy of the information captured at simulation.