title: The use of radioactive iodine in thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: The use of radioactive iodine (131I) for the treatment of primary carcinoma of the thyroid and as an alternative to a surgical thyroidectomy in the management of patients with metastatic disease is described. The rationale for using 131I to ablate normal thyroid tissue after a surgical thyroidectomy is considered in relation to the natural history of papillary and follicular tumours and in recognition of the results of such a policy in some recently reported series. It is concluded that 131I ablation is indicated in patients with follicular tumours: and in patients with papillary tumours if they are over the age of 40 or if the tumour contains a substantial follicular component. The management of patients undergoing post-operative 131I ablation is outlined and the possible complications of such treatment which include radiation thyroiditis, radiation sialitis, transient hyperthyroidism and oedema of the neck are described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Hammersmith Hospital and Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, U.K.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Goolden
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes