Reappraisal of the indication for radioiodine thyroid ablation in differentiated thyroid cancer patients

J Endocrinol Invest. 2016 Oct;39(10):1087-94. doi: 10.1007/s40618-016-0503-z. Epub 2016 Jun 27.

Abstract

Radioactive iodine therapy is administered to patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) for eradication of thyroid remnant after total thyroidectomy or, in patients with metastatic disease, for curative or palliative treatment. In past years, thyroid remnant ablation was indicated in almost every patient with a diagnosis of DTC. Nowadays, careful revision of patients' outcome has introduced the concept of risk-based selection of patients candidate to thyroid remnant ablation. The present review aims to underline the indications for thyroid remnant ablation and to address methodologies to be employed.

Keywords: Radioiodine; Thyroglobulin; Thyroid ablation; Thyroid cancer; rhTSH.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ablation Techniques / methods*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals