title: Radioactive Iodine Administration Is Associated with Persistent Related Symptoms in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.
abstract: Context. Radioiodine (RAI) administration has adverse effects in patients treated for thyroid cancer (DTC), but there is scarce information regarding their intensity and duration.Objective. To evaluate frequency and intensity of early and late RAI-related symptoms in patients with DTC.Design. Observational prospective study.Patients. DTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy, with or without RAI.Measurements. Patients answered 2 surveys: (1) from 0 to 6 months and (2) between 6 and 18 months after initial treatment.Results. 110 patients answered the first survey and 61 both. Nearly 80 percent received RAI. Among early symptoms, periorbital edema, excessive tearing, salivary gland disturbances, dry mouth, taste disorders, and nausea were more frequent and intense among RAI patients. Regarding late symptoms, periorbital edema, salivary gland pain and swelling, and dry mouth were more frequent and intense in RAI patients. Frequency and intensity of adverse effects were not different between low and high RAI doses (50 versus ≥100 mCi).Conclusion. RAI-related symptoms are frequent and usually persist after 6 months of administration, even when low doses are given. This finding must be considered when deciding RAI administration, especially in low risk patients, among whom RAI benefit is controversial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5936-3146
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Florenzano
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-9104-9499
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Guarda
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1468-3087
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaimovich
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Nicolás
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Droppelmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Hernán
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6301-4547
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: José M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6157-8055
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Domínguez