How is radioiodine therapy used for the treatment of thyroid cancer?
The two most common types of thyroid cancer (papillary and follicular) can usually be treated with radioiodine because the cells are able to take up some iodine. Radioiodine is used in treating thyroid cancer in the following two general situations: AFTER REMOVAL OF THE THYROID- An experienced thyroid surgeon can remove most of the thyroid with a very low risk of surgical complications. Radioiodine can be used to destroy the remainder of the gland, since it might harbor additional microscopic clusters of cancer cells. In that case, you may be advised not to use thyroid hormone replacement for several weeks after the operation, in order to allow the thyroid levels to drop below normal. This will lead to maximal stimulation of the remaining thyroid cells to concentrate iodine and be destroyed when you receive a dose of radioiodine. This treatment significantly reduces the possibility of recurrent cancer in whatever thyroid tissue is left and also improves the ability to detect and treat
