Thyroid cancer radioiodine therapy: health service performance and radiation safety

Abstract

Greek Atomic Energy Commission collected data related to radioiodine I-131 therapy (RAIT) delivery to differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients, for the period 2003-13, corresponding to 100 % of hospitals at national level. Radiation safety and health service performance outcome indicators were assessed. The numbers of hospitals and nuclear medicine (NM) therapy wards, as well as RAIT annual frequencies, have increased. Geographical inhomogeneous distribution of existing infrastructure is recorded. In some cases, the observed inefficient use of NM therapy wards seems to be due to lack of human resources (e.g. nurses). Regular assessment of appropriate key indicators could serve as a useful tool for radiation safety monitoring and health service performance improvement.

Analysis of a marker for cancer of the thyroid with a limit of detection

“…Dysfunction of the salivary gland, a side effect of the I-131 treatment, is studied by Lee et al [14]. Aspects of radiation safety and performance of the Greek hospitals in which I-131 treatment is provided are addressed by Vogiatzi et al [31].…”

Regulación de los servicios de medicina nuclear: percepción de la problemática y desafíos para el manejo del cáncer en Colombia

“…En el cáncer diferenciado de tiroides, el tratamiento con I-131 se administra con tres propósitos, como tratamiento ablativo para eliminar tejido tiroideo residual sano pos tiroidectomía, como tratamiento adyuvante para tratar enfermedad residual microscópica y como dosis terapéutica para tratar enfermedad macroscópica o metastásica confirmada (4). Según la actividad administrada, los pacientes sometidos a terapia con I-131 son hospitalizados en habitaciones especiales, con el fin de controlar la irradiación a otros individuos, como pacientes, familiares y cuidadores (5).…”