Thyroid cancer treatment with radioactive iodine therapy (I-131)

Radioactive iodine treatment is based on the properties of the thyroid gland to absorb all the iodine entering the body. The radioactive isotope of iodine I-131 is used for therapy. It is absorbed by normal and cancerous thyroid cells and irradiates them. The process is painless and well-tolerated. The risk of damage to other organs is minimal. Therefore, 1-2 weeks before that, food containing iodine is wholly excluded. The task of the thyroid gland at this time is to "starve" for iodine to absorb the entire dose of I-131. After hospitalization, patients undergo examinations: blood tests, ECG, ultrasound, scintigraphy of the neck, and chest X-ray. Then the patient takes the drug, made individually for him. Since the I-131 is unsafe for other people, the patient needs isolation. The half-life of I-131 is eight days. Most of it is excreted from the body through the kidneys, intestines, salivary, and sweat glands in the first two days. The doctor instructs the patient on the precautions that must be followed to protect other people from radiation. For example, it is necessary to temporarily avoid close contact with other people, especially with children.