Radioisotope treatment of thyroid carcinoma

Therapeutic administration of radioiodine in differentiated thyroid carcinoma is a radiotherapy treatment and therefore subject to unwanted effects from irradiation.

Due to the long life expectancy of these patients and despite the fact that experience in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with radioiodine shows that it is a safe treatment, the possibility of the development of other tumors must be taken into account, especially in those cases treated with high and/or repeated doses.

It should be noted in this section that the administration of radioiodine treatment is contraindicated in pregnant patients because of the risk of radioiodine affecting the development of the child before birth.

Because the body retains radioiodine during the six months following administration, pregnancy should be avoided during this period. Once this time has elapsed, there is no longer any appreciable risk.

The treatment must be indicated by a specialist, once the thyroid gland has been dried out.

As a preliminary preparation, you should suspend hormone replacement treatment (thyroid hormone) at least 4-6 weeks before treatment with radioiodine and follow a diet low in iodine.

Likewise, drugs that interfere with the incorporation of radioiodine (topical iodine tinctures, amiodarone, anxiolytics, antidepressants, etc.) should be avoided as much as possible and under the supervision of your physician.

The recent use of iodized radiological contrasts will force a delay in the administration of the treatment for it to be effective.

In the days following the administration, some discomfort may appear, which is not very important, but it must be known in order to avoid causing concern or anxiety to the patient.

A feeling of gastric heaviness, nausea and rarely vomiting may be noted, so patients are usually treated preventively with antiemetic agents and gastric emptying aids.

It is also possible to notice a sensation of pressure on both sides of the jaw due to a discrete inflammation of the salivary glands along with dry mouth and loss of taste. This effect disappears in most cases by facilitating salivary secretion.

Occasionally, discreet ciscitis occurs as a result of the elimination of radioiodine in the urine. To avoid this, it is advisable to increase fluid intake.

Other possible side effects, such as a feeling of tension in the neck, may occur depending on the amount of thyroid remains after the operation. However, if they appear they are easily treatable with anti-inflammatory drugs.