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Radioactive Iodine Therapy

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.

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Radioactive iodine therapy may be used in the treatment of the following conditions:

  • Thyroid cancer
  • Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland)
  • It can also be rarely used to treat the following conditions:
  • Prostate cancer in men
  • Ocular melanoma or intraocular melanoma (a type of eye cancer)
  • Cervical or uterine cancer in women
  • Neuroblastoma (a rare type of childhood tumor)
  • Neuroendocrine tumors, like phaeochromocytomas
  • I-131 can be attached to a chemical known as MIBG (meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine) and used in scans to diagnose the following types of tumors:
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Neuroendocrine tumors 

The following different types of diagnostic tests may be recommended before radioactive iodine therapy:

  • Physical examination: The doctor will examine the neck of the patient to feel for any changes in the thyroid gland, like the presence of a lump or nodule. The patient will also be asked about any past exposure to radiation, medical history, and if there is any family history of thyroid cancer.
  • Blood tests: Some medical conditions can be diagnosed using blood tests. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is a type of blood test performed to measure the blood levels of TSH and hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
  • Ultrasound: It is a type of imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs, like the thyroid gland.
  • Other imaging tests: Imaging tests like CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds may help the doctor in checking if cancer has spread beyond the thyroid gland.
  • Radioactive iodine scan: It uses radioactive iodine and a special camera to detect the thyroid cancer cells in the body.
  • Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: A long, thin needle is inserted through the skin into the thyroid nodule to remove some cells from the thyroid gland. The sample obtained is sent to the laboratory for analysis.
  • Genetic testing: Certain types of thyroid cancers caused by inherited genes could be detected using genetic testing.

 

Radioactive iodine therapy may be associated with the following side effects:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting 
  • Feeling flushed
  • Tenderness in the neck region
  • Swelling in the neck region
  • Dry mouth
  • Changes in taste
  • Salivary gland inflammation 
  • Gastritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract)
  • Dry eyes
  • Requirement of hormone replacement medications due to low or absent levels of the thyroid hormone
  • Increased risk of developing leukemia (a type of blood cancer), stomach cancer, and salivary gland cancer
  • Infertility and low sperm count in men for up to two years following treatment
  • Irregular periods in women for up to one year after treatment 

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.

 

Radioactive Iodine Therapy from one of the best multi-speciality hospital: Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru

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