Ablation of the thyroid remnant and 131I dose in differentiated thyroid cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of remnant ablation following a single low dose (specific activity of 131I administered, 1074-1110 MBq) vs. a single high dose (mostly 2775-3700 MBq) of 131I in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and to determine whether or not the extent of surgery influences outcome.


METHODS
Nineteen studies have reported the results of low dose 131I ablation. Of these, 11 met our criteria for a comparative analysis. Two additional cohorts of ours were added and these were analysed in two groups based on the extent of surgery (near-total [NT; Woodhouse1] vs. sub-total [ST; Woodhouse2]). There were 518 low dose and 449 high dose patients in all.


RESULTS
The average failure of a single low dose was 46 +/- 28% (SD). Meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant advantage for a single high over a single low dose and a pooled reduction in relative risk of failure of the high dose of about 27% (P < 0.01). From this we estimate that for every seven patients treated one more would be ablated given a high rather than a low dose (assuming a low dose failure risk of 50%). Also, a significantly greater proportion of patients are ablated after a single high or low dose, if they underwent near-total as opposed to sub-total thyroidectomy (summary relative risk (RR) 1.4; P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High dose 131I is more efficient than low dose for remnant ablation particularly after less than total thyroidectomy. Results suggest that patients with differentiated thyroid cancer should routinely have a total thyroidectomy followed by high dose 131I (2775-3700MBq) for ablation of the remnant.
Doi
S A
SA
Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al-Khod, Oman. sardoi@iname.com
Woodhouse
N J
NJ
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012306:Risk; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000379:methods; D017211:Treatment Failure
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes