Radioiodine Therapy: Review of the Empiric Fixed Dose Approaches and Their Selective Applications / 대한갑상선학회지

ABSTRACT

Empiric fixed dose approach is commonly adopted in the radioiodine therapy (RIT) for thyroid cancer, and considered to be a reasonably safe, simple, and easy practice. Recent clinical guidelines and articles suggested that RIT should be more selectively applied, based on risk stratification and individual treatment. However, there was no specific dose of RIT for each risk group. Application of empiric fixed dose can be needed, based on the guidelines, to improve therapeutic prognosis and radiation safety in the selected patients. In Korea, for the low risk group according to some prognostic factors, such as histology and genetic mutation, RIT can be selected, preferably using higher dose. To minimize any side effects, on the other hand, radioiodine dose can be decreased and optimized for patient's body weight, age, and kidney function. For the advanced thyroid cancer, higher fixed dose of radioiodine could be administered to improve survival and to reduce recurrence.