How is radioactive iodine therapy used following thyroid surgery? Do its advantages outweigh its drawbacks? Let's get acquainted.
Certain types of thyroid cancer, such as papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, are treated with radioactive iodine therapy following surgical thyroidectomy. Additionally, it can be used to manage hyperthyroidism. More details about radioactive iodine treatment after thyroidectomy in this article:
Radioactive iodine therapy after thyroidectomy
The treatment of choice for thyroid cancer is thyroidectomy, but this procedure may leave some thyroid cells behind and increase the risk of thyroid cancer recurrence.
Therefore, radioactive iodine treatment is used after removing the thyroid gland to kill any remaining thyroid cells that may be cancerous. In order to eliminate these cells, it is also applied in the event that thyroid cancer spreads to other body regions.
How does radioactive iodine therapy work after thyroidectomy?
The only cells in the body that perform this function are those that produce thyroid hormones; these cells take in iodine from the food we eat and use it to produce thyroid hormones.
However, in some circumstances, such as those that call for thyroid gland removal, the cells might not be able to absorb iodine. In these situations, the doctor turns to radioactive iodine to kill the thyroid cells without affecting or harming the cells of other organs.
In this manner, the radioactive iodine will be taken up by the remaining thyroid cells, though minute amounts may also be taken up by the salivary glands and stomach lining.
Is radioactive iodine treatment safe?
As a result of the low rates of cancer caused by radioactive iodine treatment in comparison to the benefits that can be obtained from this procedure, it turned out that radioactive iodine treatment was somewhat safe. In this regard, the case can be discussed in detail with the specialist doctor, and any side effects or damages can be known according to the patient's health condition.
Other benefits of radioactive iodine therapy
Benefits of iodine therapy include:
- Treatment of hyperthyroidism, especially in the case of toxic nodular goiter.
- Graves' disease treatment .
- Reducing the size of the gland caused by an enlarged thyroid gland.
- Thyroid cancer treatment.
Harmful effects of radioactive iodine treatment
Before beginning radioactive iodine therapy, the patient should be aware of the following side effects:
- Permanent hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism .
- Neck swelling and relaxation.
- Nausea.
- Swelling of the salivary glands .
- dry eyes
- Dry mouth due to insufficient saliva production.
- Excessive tearing from the eyes.
Precautions and cautions for radioactive iodine therapy
Before receiving radioactive iodine treatment, there are a number of precautions and warnings that must be considered, including:
- Breastfeeding should be discontinued at least six weeks before radioactive iodine treatment, with the intention of never restarting it. Pregnancy should be avoided for at least six to twelve months following radioactive iodine treatment.
- After receiving radioactive iodine treatment, refrain from prolonged or direct physical contact with others, especially young children and pregnant women, to limit radiation exposure to others.
- Avoid mixing and public places.
- Never share utensils for eating, towels, bedding, or other personal items with someone else.
- Wash dishes and utensils separately.
- Daily showers are required, and hand washing is required frequently throughout the day.