DICOM
Pronunciation: DIE-com
Also written as: DICOM — Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine
International standard for medical imaging data storage, transmission, and display, essential for oncology imaging workflows.
Full Definition
Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) is the universal standard that enables medical imaging systems to store, transmit, and display radiological images and associated data. In oncology informatics, DICOM is crucial for managing CT scans, MRIs, PET scans, and other imaging modalities used in cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. DICOM files contain not only the image data but also metadata such as patient demographics, study parameters, and technical acquisition details. This standardization allows seamless integration between different imaging systems, PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems), and clinical information systems, enabling efficient workflow and data sharing across healthcare institutions.
Usage
Usage note: DICOM is always written in all caps; distinguish from PACS, which is the system that manages DICOM files.
In Context
- "The imaging study was stored in DICOM format for integration with the oncology information system." — Technical documentation
- "DICOM metadata extraction is essential for automated tumor measurement workflows." — System specification