Radioactive iodine therapy
Radioactive iodine treatment, popularly known as “atomic therapy”, is performed following surgery for thyroid cancer. Its purpose; The only treatment option is to destroy the remaining thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer cells in the lymph node or other parts of the body.
Radioactive iodine treatment, popularly known as “atomic therapy”, is performed following surgery for thyroid cancer. Its purpose; The only treatment option is to destroy the remaining thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer cells in the lymph node or other parts of the body.
Radioactive Iodine Treatment in Thyroid Cancer
Radioactive iodine treatment, popularly known as “atomic therapy”, is performed following surgery for thyroid cancer. Its purpose; The only treatment option is to destroy the remaining thyroid tissue and thyroid cancer cells in the lymph node or other parts of the body. With radioactive iodine treatment, the remaining tissue in the thyroid bed is eliminated after surgery, facilitating follow-up of the patient. It also reduces disease recurrence and prolongs survival by detecting and treating occult metastases.
Research has proven that the disease is completely eliminated in more than 95 percent of patients by radioactive iodine treatment, which is performed with appropriate patient selection and appropriate surgical operation.
Who can receive radioactive iodine treatment?
Patients who will receive this treatment are determined immediately after surgery, and radioactive iodine treatment can be applied approximately 3-4 weeks after the surgery.
It is applied in papillary and follicular carcinomas, defined as differentiated thyroid cancer. Treatment is given for the purpose of ablation (destroying the remaining thyroid tissue that cannot be removed by surgery) and treatment for all patients with a tumor diameter over 1 cm. If the tumor diameter is less than 1 cm, total thyroidectomy may be sufficient. However, if the tumor diameter is less than 1 cm but metastasis is detected, there is capsule invasion, if the patient has previously received radiation, especially to the neck area, or if the cell type is bad, radioactive iodine treatment is applied.
How to prepare for radioactive iodine treatment?
The treatment is applied by increasing the TSH hormone to increase the entry of iodine-131 into the remaining thyroid and tumor cells and the effectiveness of the treatment. Treatment can usually be applied to the patient 3-4 weeks after the operation. Making a post-treatment plan to prevent the patient from remaining in hypothyroidism for a long time increases the patient’s comfort. A diet low in iodine for 10 to 15 days before treatment significantly increases the success of treatment. Treatment preparation stages should be planned appropriately by the nuclear medicine doctor and discussed with the patient in detail.
How is radioactive iodine treatment administered?
• On the morning of iodine treatment, the patient comes to the hospital after fasting for approximately 6 hours.
• The necessary blood tests are performed and the patient is taken to the radioactive treatment room (lead lined) to receive iodine treatment.
• The radioactive substance is given to the patient orally in the form of a capsule.
• The patient stays in this room for an average of 3-5 days, depending on the dose of medication he takes.
Side effects and precautions of radioactive iodine treatment
The radioactive iodine capsule given in the treatment does not have any bad taste or smell, and the patient does not feel anything during the treatment. Hair loss, as observed in other chemotherapy methods, is not observed, and side effects related to the gastrointestinal system are very rare in this treatment. Some methods are recommended to the patient to prevent the treatment given from damaging the salivary glands. In addition, drinking plenty of water and taking a shower every day to cleanse the patient of radiation released through body secretions facilitates the removal of radiation from the body. Visitors are not allowed during the treatment and their needs are met under the supervision of medical personnel.
Duration of radioactive iodine treatment
We are aware that it is actually extremely difficult for a person to stay in a room alone for at least three days. It is aimed to minimize this difficulty thanks to the system and communication established within Anadolu Health Center.
