Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Also written as: RAI — Radioactive Iodine Therapy
Treatment using radioactive iodine (I-131) to destroy residual thyroid tissue or metastatic thyroid cancer cells.
Full Definition
Radioactive iodine therapy involves the oral administration of iodine-131, a radioactive isotope that is selectively taken up by thyroid cells. This treatment is used both as adjuvant therapy after thyroidectomy to eliminate microscopic residual disease and as therapeutic intervention for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer. The therapy exploits the unique ability of thyroid cells to concentrate iodine. Patients require isolation precautions during treatment due to radiation exposure risks to others.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as RAI; specify I-131 when discussing the specific isotope.
In Context
- "The patient will undergo radioactive iodine therapy six weeks post-thyroidectomy." — Treatment protocol
- "Radioactive iodine therapy achieved complete ablation of thyroid remnants." — Nuclear medicine report