Radioactive iodine treatment is given after thyroid cancer surgery. It is the only treatment option aimed at destroying residual tissue as well as cancer cells remaining in the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. After thyroid cancer surgery, patient follow-up also includes the elimination of the tissue remaining in the thyroid bed. This procedure detects and treats occult metastases, thereby reducing recurrence of the disease and prolonging the patient's life. Studies have shown that, after a correctly performed operation, radioiodine treatment has completely eliminated the disease in more than 95% of eligible patients.
Who receives radioactive iodine treatment?
Patients' eligibility for radioactive iodine treatment is determined immediately after the operation. Treatment can be given about three to four weeks after the procedure. It applies to papillary and follicular carcinomas, defined as differentiated thyroid cancers. The treatment is prescribed for ablation purposes (elimination of thyroid tissue that cannot be removed surgically) and for all groups of patients whose tumour has a diameter of 1 cm or more. If the tumour diameter is less than 1 cm, a total thyroidectomy may be sufficient. However, if a smaller tumour is accompanied by metastases or capsular invasion, or if radiotherapy has been applied, particularly to the neck region, radioiodine treatment is given.
Kezban Berberoğlu
M.D.
Diagnostic Services – Pathology
Kezban Berberoğlu
M.D.
Diagnostic Services – Pathology
Education and career
• Trakya University Faculty of Medicine
• İstanbul University Faculty of Medicine
• Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
Areas of expertise and medical interests
• Nuclear oncology
• Nuclear cardiology
• Member of the Turkish Society of Nuclear Medicine
Research and publications
• 2 international publications
• 12 national publications