The role of radioactive iodine in the treatment of well-differentiated thyroid cancer.
The prognosis in differentiated thyroid cancer is excellent. The completeness of thyroidectomy and removal of involved regional metastases are the most important elements of management. Iodine 131 has a role in ablating residual thyroid and treating regional and distant metastases. The effectiveness of the treatment is confirmed by negative follow-up scans and low or undetectable Tg. This therapy is relatively specific, but other tissues can receive meaningful doses of radiation and acute and long-term complications can occur. Therefore, whether the patient will have a better prognosis after treatment with 131I and whether the benefits of treatment are greater than the side effects must be determined for every patient.
Weigel
Ronald J
RJ
Department of Surgery, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, Room 1516 JCP, Iowa City, IA 52242-1086, USA. ronald-weigel@uiowa.edu
McDougall
I Ross
IR
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011379:Prognosis; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000378:metabolism; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000528:radiation effects; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013954:Thyroglobulin