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Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer
Radioactive iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment is a safe and effective procedure for treating thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. It is also very brief and straightforward. Here at Cross Border Care, the best medical consulting in India, we will explain the treatment, its cost, and the best hospitals offering this treatment in India.
What is radioactive iodine therapy?
The term radioactive may sound frightening, but it is a safe treatment. It targets thyroid cells to eradicate them. It involves using radioactive isotopes -IODINE 131—to diagnose or treat thyroid-related diseases.
Iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment in India is also done to destroy any thyroid tissue that is not removed by the surgery or to treat some types of thyroid cancers that have spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Simply put, your thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroid hormones. You get iodine from foods and iodized salts. In this therapy, your thyroid takes the radioactive iodine and kills the thyroid cells using radiation. It is a type of nuclear medicine treatment.
Where is RAI Therapy used?
● Hyperthyroidism and Radioactive Therapy
Hyperthyroidism or Graves disease is a condition in which your entire thyroid gland is active. You will be recommended this therapy if:
● Antithyroid medications are not working on you
● Surgery is too risky based on your overall health
● Your life expectancy has decreased
Iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment in Delhi will lead to permanent destruction of your thyroid and will cure hyperthyroidism. Most people who take this treatment form must take thyroid hormone medication to maintain their thyroid levels.
● RAI( Radioactive Iodine) therapy for Thyroid cancer
If you are suffering from papillary thyroid cancer or follicular thyroid cancer, then Radioactive iodine treatment in India will surely be a part of your treatment plan. It destroys the thyroid tissue that cannot be removed by surgery. It is also used to treat metastasized thyroid cancers.
This therapy will not work for anaplastic thyroid cancer and medullary thyroid cancer.
Cross Border Care does not recommend this therapy if :
● You are pregnant
● You are breastfeeding
● You have high thyroid hormone levels
● You have diarrhea or vomiting
Understanding the Procedure
Pointers to keep in mind before the surgery
● Blood tests will be done to check your thyroid levels
● All thyroid-suppressing medicines will be stopped a week before the procedure. A Sr TSH > 30 µIU/ml is desirable.
● Follow a low-iodine diet for one to two weeks before the procedure
● Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) injections to increase your radioactive thyroid absorption
● If you are breastfeeding, you have to stop six weeks before the procedure.
Just before the procedure:
● You will have to take a pregnancy test.
● You will have to undergo a body scan to check if there are any remaining cancer cells in your body.
Our team at Cross Border Care will help you complete all these preparations in detail. However, follow all these instructions, be bold, and ask us questions. We work closely with patients and doctors to achieve a high success rate during thyroid cancer ablation with radioiodine treatment in Delhi.
How is the procedure performed?
The Radioactive iodine treatment in Delhi involves the following steps:
● You will be given the dose of radioactive iodine ( I-131) orally as a capsule, liquid, or injection into a vein. The thyroid gland absorbs the radioactive iodine, emitting radiation and thus targeting and destroying the thyroid cells.
● Due to iodine’s radioactive nature, strict safety measures are taken to protect you and others from radiation exposure.
● After the therapy, healthcare professionals will constantly monitor you to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.
Comparison of Radioactive Iodine Therapy for Hyperthyroidism and Thyroid Cancer
| Disease | Hyperthyroidism | Thyroid Cancer |
|---|---|---|
| How is RAI therapy taken? | Radioactive iodine is taken orally in a single capsule or liquid dose | Dose taken by mouth or IV injection |
| Type of Procedure | Outpatient Procedure | A larger dose is given, and you have to stay in the hospital for 3 days |
| What will the radioactive iodine do? | Your thyroid levels will go down once the radioactive iodine starts working. | The radioactive iodine will destroy the remaining cancer cells. |
| Effect of treatment | After 3 to 6 months | Immediate |
● Note: Radioactive iodine therapy is carried out in the Nuclear Medicine Department and approved by the Competent Authority (AERB in India). Depending on the dose administered, the patient might need admission to a dedicated isolation room for 1-2 days.
● It is a government-controlled substance, so the patient may have to wait for 10 – 12 days to issue his quota of therapy since the hospital can’t have this.
Precautions after the procedure
● Radioactive iodine will stay in your body for some time and will leave your body mainly via pee, spit, or poop.
● The therapy will not harm your body, just the thyroid
● For the first 8 hours after the treatment, maintain a distance of at least 3 feet from the people.
● Sleep alone for 3 to 4 days, and do not make any sexual contact with your partner.
● Drink enough fluids to flush out the radiation.
● Wash your hands regularly.
● Bath frequently.
● Avoid preparing food for other people.
● Use your dishes.
● Avoid public transport
● Avoid long automobile trips.
Follow-Ups
● You will need a follow-up blood test every 6 to 12 months to determine your thyroid levels.
● You also have to attend all the follow-up appointments with your doctor.
Are there any side effects?
Short-term side effects of iodine-131 thyroid cancer treatment are:
● Neck tenderness and swelling
● Nausea and vomiting
● Dry mouth
● Taste change
Long Term effects
● Sperm count in men may become low
● Irregular periods in women
● Risk of developing leukemia, stomach cancer, or salivary gland cancer.
Top Hospitals and Doctors Performing Radioactive Iodine Therapy in India
Cross Border Care is the best medical consultant in India. When you contact us, we will help you with:
● Arranging visa
● Finding the best hospital
● Surgical package negotiation on your behalf
● Finding the best doctors
● Medicines at reasonable rates
● Affordable options to stay in India
● Over saving of 15% treatment cost through us
To learn more about our services, please write to us at info@crossborderscare.com. Based on your reports, we will let you know the Radioactive iodine treatment cost in India.
