Thyroid cancer patients treated with 131I: radiation dose to relatives after discharge from the hospital.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cancer patients treated with radioiodine are potential source of radiation exposure for other individuals. Thus, we evaluated the radiation dose received by family members of thyroid cancer patients treated with (131)I after hospital discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-six family members of 56 thyroid cancer patients were included in the study. Thyroid cancer patients were given 3.7 GBq of (131)I and remained in a radiation protection ward for 3 days. Radiation protection recommendations were given to patients and relatives. Life conditions were recorded and radiation doses were monitored using a personal dosimeter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: At discharge, the mean residual activity was 188 MBq. The mean radiation dose delivered to relatives during the 7 days after discharge was low (51.5 µSv) and was similar with either recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) (59 µSv) or withdrawal (50 µSv) (p = 0.37). CONCLUSION: With our current practice, radiation doses to relatives are low and well below international recommendations.