title: Challenges and strategies on radioiodine treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radioiodine ((131)I) is considered an effective and low-risk therapeutic radionuclide for differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC); however, dilemmas exist in the optimization of indications, pre-treatment thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulation, dose decision, as well as in the treatment of (131)I-refractory disease. Refined strategies on (131)I treatment for DTC based on late evidence and novel insights are greatly needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The indications of (131)I ablation continue to be refined with a better understanding of the risks and benefits. For pre-treatment TSH stimulation, recombinant human thyrotropin presents a better choice as it improves the quality of life, but is indicated only for ablation of the thyroid remnant and follow-up. Decreased doses of (131)I seem to be more appropriate in patients without gross residual disease or metastases, but maximal doses are suggested in patients with advanced disease. Imaging procedures contributing to decision-making for patients with advanced DTC also continue to be modified. As for the (131)I-refractory disease, there is a trend to increase (131)I uptake and retention by using additional therapeutic agents like kinase inhibitors with encouraging results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, 600 Yishan Rd, Shanghai 200233, China. libochen888@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Lingxiao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Maomei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Libo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018365:Neoplasm, Residual; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes