Radioiodine (I131) Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

Why am I having I131?

Your consultant will have discussed the reasons why you have been advised to have I131; including what would happen if you chose not to have this treatment.

You will also have been given an information pack in clinic and provided with an opportunity to visit the Nuclear Medicine department and Ward 35 where you will be having your treatment.

If you have any further questions then you should discuss these with your consultant, or one of their team, before you come into hospital for your treatment.

I131 is often used to destroy any remaining normal thyroid tissue or microscopic deposits of thyroid cancer after surgery to the thyroid gland.

In many studies this has been shown to reduce the risk of the cancer returning and improve survival (Mazzaferri 1997, Mazzaferri & Kloose 2001).

I131 can also be used to treat cancer that has returned and still achieve a cure. It is important to remember that the long-term survival for most patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer is excellent.

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