Radioactive iodine therapy is a radiation-based treatment method used in the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancers and some types of hyperthyroidism and popularly called 'atomic therapy'. The thyroid gland uses iodine in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which is the basic function of our body. Many foods, especially iodized table salt, are natural sources of iodine. A significant portion of the iodine taken into our body is retained and stored by the thyroid gland. This unique relationship between iodine and the thyroid gland allows Iodine-131, the radioactive form of iodine, to be used for treatment purposes in some diseases. Some well-differentiated tumors of the thyroid gland (papillary carcinoma, follicular carcinoma) consist of cells that mimic normal thyroid tissue and have very similar structural features. Due to these properties, they capture iodine and take it into the cell, although not as much as normal cells. However, they do not have the ability to distinguish between radioactive and non-radioactive iodine. If the body is not saturated with non-radioactive iodine, the radioactive iodine used for treatment purposes is retained by the normal thyroid cells left behind after the operation, cells belonging to thyroid cancer or lymph node-organ spread. The purpose of the iodine-restricted diet applied before treatment is to starve the body of non-radioactive iodine and ensure that radioactive iodine reaches the desired targets in high amounts. Thus, the iodine-131 (atom) taken into the cell destroys the cell with the effect of beta radiation. This is one of the oldest molecular-targeting (smart) treatment methods.
Radioactive iodine treatment; It is performed to prevent the recurrence of the disease by leaving no normal or cancerous thyroid cells behind after the surgery for thyroid cancer, and to provide treatment if there is lymph node or organ spread. Very low doses of radioactive iodine are used for imaging purposes (whole body Iodine-131 scanning scintigraphy) to monitor whether residual tissues disappear after treatment.
Those diagnosed with thyroid cancer and whose tumor diameter is below a certain size, high In patients who do not meet risky pathological criteria, postoperative examinations are performed and if no residual tissue or metastasis (spread) is detected, they are followed up without radioactive iodine treatment, keeping the thyroid medication dose at the required level. It is possible.
Radioactive iodine treatment can be applied to patients of all age groups. Radioactive substances cannot be used for treatment or examination purposes during pregnancy. Our female patients who have received treatment should not have children for 1 year, and our male patients should not have children for 6 months.
HOW IS RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT APPLIED?
Before radioactive iodine treatment. An iodine-restricted diet is applied for at least 15 days. Radioactive iodine antibiotic etc. It is in capsule form, similar to the drugs we use in daily life. It is administered by drinking through a protected straw. Afterwards, it is necessary to stay in specially isolated rooms for 1-3 days, depending on the dose given, until the radiation emitted from the body and excreted through urine and feces reaches a level that will not harm the health of the surrounding individuals. Depending on the dose, our patients leaving the hospital should not come into contact with pregnant women and children under the age of 18 for 2-3 weeks, should not spend time with adults in close proximity (less than 1 meter) and for a long time, should not enter crowded areas, should not use public transportation, and should not use public transportation as much as possible. He/she must stay in a separate room at home. Short-term (about 30 minutes) encounters with individuals (except pregnant women and children) at a distance of more than 1 meter do not pose a risk. For breastfeeding mothers; Since radioactive iodine passes into breast milk, breastfeeding must be discontinued. It is important to use separate sinks, bathrooms and toilets for 15 days after treatment, if possible, and to wash hands and surfaces carefully with plenty of water to protect other members of the house. Soap, toothbrush, towel, fork – spoon, etc. Care should be taken to ensure that personal materials are not used by anyone else. Clothes used during the period in the treatment room should be aired for about 1 week and washed with plenty of water separately from other laundry. It would be appropriate to wash sheets, towels and clothes separately for 15 days after the treatment.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT?
Post-treatment side effects are generally mild and temporary, although they are related to the radioiodine dose taken. In the presence of residual thyroid tissue, neck tenderness and pain during swallowing may be felt. In the early days h Mild nausea, fatigue, and increased need for sleep are among the common side effects. Since radioactive iodine is also retained in the salivary glands, a decrease in the sense of taste or a change in taste (metallic taste, etc.) may be observed in the early period, and swelling, pain and dry mouth in the salivary glands may be observed in the late period. During the first week of treatment, rinsing the mouth with lemon juice, drinking plenty of water, chewing gum and applying ice to the salivary glands can reduce the level of these side effects. However, there is no definitive data on this subject. It is important to drink plenty of water and urinate after the first 24 hours to reduce the radiation dose to the body and accelerate its elimination from the body. In women, temporary loss of menstruation may occur due to radiation to the internal genital organs and lack of thyroid hormones. Drinking plenty of water and not letting the urine wait is effective in reducing this effect.
I wish you a healthy day.
Read: 0
