The medical applications of particle physics

A new era was marked in medicine with the diccovery of x-rays by Rontgen in 1895 which was quickly followed by first imaging applications and the use of radioactive elements for the treatment of cancer. Since the beginning of the 20th century, major advances in medicine have been realized with the developments in physics, particulary experimental techniques used in particle physics.In this study, diagnostic imaging methods (Computed Tomography (CT), Single Positron Emission Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) ) and cancer theraphy methods are reviewed. The physics and working principles of particle detectors used in medicine are also summarised.Key Words: Medical Physics, Rontgen, CT, PET, MR