Radioactive iodine therapy is a type of internal radiation therapy performed to treat thyroid cancer, and also to diagnose and treat certain other types of cancers and conditions.
I-131 is a type of radioactive iodine, also known as radioiodine, that is used to treat thyroid cancer. It can be consumed in the form of a drink or capsule.
The radioactive iodine is absorbed into the body and picked up by the thyroid cancer cells, even if they have spread to the other body parts. The radiation then kills the cancer cells. This is known as targeted radiotherapy as the radiation treatment goes straight to cancer and has very little effect on the body’s healthy cells.
Radioactive iodine therapy may be used in the treatment of the following conditions:
The following different types of diagnostic tests may be recommended before radioactive iodine therapy:
Radioactive iodine therapy may be associated with the following side effects:
The patient is given a sugar-free chewing gum or hard candy to suck on after treatment to prevent dry mouth.
The patient is recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses for some days or weeks after the procedure.
A body scan may be recommended to check if there are any remaining cancer cells in the patient’s body after giving I-131.
The radioactive iodine will pass out of the patient’s body in the form of urine and saliva.
The patient’s body will emit radiation after treatment and therefore, the patient needs to stay in the hospital for three to five days after the procedure to prevent radiation exposure to other people.
The patient should follow these instructions for approximately three days after treatment to prevent radiation exposure to others:
Limit or avoid going to public places
Drink lots of fluids
Avoid using public transport
Avoid sharing of food or utensils
Avoid preparing food for others
Sit down during urination and flush the toilet two to three times after using it
The patient should follow the following instructions for about five or more days after treatment:
Stay at least six feet away from pregnant women and small children
Avoid going to work
Sleep in a separate bed from your partner, infant, or children
A blood test is recommended after every six to twelve months after treatment to check the levels of the thyroid hormones.
If the thyroid gland becomes underactive following treatment, thyroid hormone supplement pills are recommended for the rest of the patient’s life.
Regular follow-ups are recommended to check for the success of treatment and if there is any recurrence of cancer.