Why is I-131 used in thyroid cancer?
Because of this, radioactive iodine (RAI, also called I-131) can be used to treat thyroid cancer. The RAI collects mainly in thyroid cells, where the radiation can destroy the thyroid gland and any other thyroid cells (including cancer cells) that take up iodine, with little effect on the rest of your body.
How does Iodine-131 Treat cancer?
Radioactive iodine is an effective type of treatment for cancer of the thyroid gland. This is because the radioactive iodine from the drink or capsule is absorbed into your body and picked up by the thyroid cancer cells, even if they have spread to other parts of the body. The radiation then destroys the cancer cells.
What is a Thyrogen scan?
What is a Thyrogen Whole Body Scan? A whole body thyroid scan looks to see if there is any residual thyroid tissue remaining after your thyroid has been surgically removed or if any abnormal thyroid tissue exists in any other areas of your body.
What are the benefits of using Iodine-131?
The potential benefits of I-131 adjuvant treatment include decreasing recurrence and disease-specific mortality for unknown microscopic, locoregional, and/or distant metastatic disease.
What are the dangers of iodine-131?
I-131 collects in the thyroid gland. People exposed to I-131, especially during childhood, may have an increased risk of thyroid disease, including thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is uncommon and is usually curable. Typically, it is a slow-growing cancer that is highly treatable.
What is I 131 whole body scan?
An Iodine-131 whole-body scan is a procedure that is performed in nuclear medicine to check for recurrence of thyroid cancer in the body following a complete thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid).
How long after radioactive iodine treatment Can I kiss?
Avoid kissing or sexual intercourse for three to four days after treatment. Do not sleep together for an entire night until a week after treatment. Avoid prolonged physical contact, particularly with children and pregnant women; limit to 15 minutes.
What should I eat after RAI treatment?
Starting from the morning after the RAI Treatment, take 1-2 sour candies after each meal, aiming for ~5 candies per day for 7 days. Lemon juice with tea is a good alternative if you do not like sour candies. Sleep alone for 7 days. Avoid contact with pregnant women and children under the age of 12 for 7 days.
How do you feel after Rai?
Some people may have a feeling of tightness or swelling in their neck for a few days after treatment. This is more common if you still had a large part of your thyroid gland when you have radioactive iodine treatment. Some people also feel flushed. Rarely, people can feel pain in their neck.
What is a 131 iodine diagnostic scan?
The 131 iodine diagnostic scan is performed following the diagnosis and surgical treatment of papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma. Images are taken of the whole body – front and back.
How long does it take to get a scan after Rai?
Post-Therapy Scan Between 2 and 10 days after your RAI treatment, you will have a whole body scan (WBS), also known as an I-131 scan. You will have this scan in the nuclear medicine department of the hospital or community radiology center. This scan usually takes between 30 minutes and one hour.
How can I prepare for a radioiodine scan (Rai)?
Many doctors recommend a dental cleaning before RAI. At some centers, for some patients, another step in preparing for RAI is a whole-body radioiodine scan. The goal of this scan is to determine the extent of any remaining thyroid tissue or thyroid cancer that needs to be destroyed.
What is radioiodine I-131 therapy?
Radioactive Iodine I-131 (also called Radioiodine I-131) therapy is a nuclear medicine treatment. Doctors use it to treat an overactive thyroid, a condition called hyperthyroidism.