For the distant metastasis of differentiated thyroid cancers, such as papillary thyroid carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, and Hurthle cell carcinoma, radioiodine therapy is one of the standard treatment methods after total thyroidectomy. Radioiodine is accumulated in thyroid cells and thyroid cancer cells through sodium iodide symporter which is located in the membrane of cells. This molecular target specific therapy renders a better prognosis and less adverse effects. Radioiodine 131I emits gamma ray for imaging and beta ray for treatment at the same time, we can monitor patients' specific distribution of radioiodine, which let us know unexpected metastasis lesions or differentiated status of thyroid cancer cells. In this article, I reviewed practical points of view about radioiodine therapy for distant metastasis of thyroid cancers such as methods for administration of radioiodine, patients' preparation before radioiodine treatment, follow up of patients, adverse effects, and radiation safety issues.
Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; Beta Particles ; Carcinoma ; Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gamma Rays ; Humans ; Ion Transport ; Linear Energy Transfer ; Membranes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Prognosis ; Sodium Iodide ; Symporters ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

Radioiodine (RI) therapy is one of the key factors for the good prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancers. Currently, most of RI treatments are performed with predetermined fixed dose of RI, whereas strict dose adjustment is made in chemotherapy or external radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Although fixed dose methods have been practically effective in RI therapy hitherto, dose determination with individual radiation dosimetry is theoretically superior to use of empirical fixed dose, for maximization of treatment effect and minimization of adverse events. The theoretical superiority of dosimetry-based dose determination is not yet directly supported by clinical data of real world; however, indirect results support the use of dosimetry-based dose determination in several specific patient groups. In this review, the basis of dosimetry is briefly discussed with regard to necessity and practical methods. Additionally, the efficacy of dosimetry is also discussed through the data of clinical studies so far.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Radiometry ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

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.
Body Weight ; Hand ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Neoplasms

Radionuclide therapies have been applied in the diverse fields of medicine, and it has been demonstrated the usefulness of it, especially in the field of oncology. Accurate dosimetric assessment is imperative during radionuclide therapy, in order to optimize the treatment efficacy for target sites and to minimize the radiation exposure for normal organ. Recent advancement in imaging technology permits the precise determination of the absorbed dose non-invasively. This imaging based dosimetry can be routinely applicable to the bedside in the near future.
Treatment Outcome

No abstract available.
Humans ; Thyroid Gland

No abstract available.
Consensus ; Hyperthyroidism ; Thyroid Gland

We report a case of axillary lymph node metastasis (LNM) as a recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in a 68-year-old male. The patient initially presented in 2009 with a 3.4x5.4 cm sized neck swelling and left cervical lymphadenopathy. He underwent total thyroidectomy and central compartment neck dissection (CCND) with left modified radical neck dissection (MRND). The pathological report confirmed PTC with metastasis of neck lymph node. On a regular follow up of positron emission tomography (PET), LNM was found on the right supraclavicular area and on the left axillary area. It was 17 months after the initial thyroid cancer had been diagnosed. The right MRND and left axillary lymph node dissections were performed in April of 2012. Pathological result confirmed metastatic PTC of left axillary lymph nodes. After recovery from the surgery, the patient got radioactive iodine therapy with I-131 180 mCi.
Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iodine ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes* ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

Primary thyroid lymphoma is a rare tumor which patients usually present an enlarging neck mass, often causing local obstructive symptoms. Hypothyroidism is seen in 30-40% of the patients with primary thyroid lymphoma. We report a 77-year-old man with history of hypothyroidism, presenting enlarging anterior neck mass which pathologically confirmed as thyroid lymphoma with literature review.
Aged ; Dyspnea* ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Lymphoma* ; Neck ; Thyroid Gland*

Thyrotoxicosis due to autoimmune thyroid disease occurs in approximately 5% to 10% of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), whereas the incidence of MG in patients with Graves' disease is much less at approximately 0.2%. Recently, we experienced a 40-year-old male patient diagnosed with thyroid storm with severe respiratory failure and lower extremity weakness. At first, he was diagnosed with Graves' disease and critical illness neuropathy. His thyroid function was improved by anti-thyroid drug, but his neurologic function aggravated at the same time. He accordingly diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. We studied that when we should examine the neurologic function from this case. Our case highlights the importance of investigating muscle weakness or other neurologic problems in the thyrotoxic patient during their management.
Adult ; Critical Illness ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Muscle Weakness ; Myasthenia Gravis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Thyroid Crisis ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis*

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is characterized by fasting hypoglycemia, endogenous hyperinsulinemia, and the presence of autoantibodies to insulin or insulin receptor in patients that have never been exposed to exogenous insulin. This syndrome is occasionally accompanied by several autoimmune disorders. There is no reported case of concurrent IAS with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A 52-year-old female was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and was treated with 25 microg/d levothyroxine for 3 years. Recently, she experienced recurrent fasting hypoglycemic symptoms that disappeared rapidly with a carbohydrate-rich diet, although she had no history of diabetes or insulin use. Blood analysis showed hypoglycemia and elevated serum levels of insulin and C-peptide. Imaging studies did not reveal a mass lesion in the pancreas, and selective calcium-stimulated venous sampling also gave a negative result. However, anti-insulin antibody titer was high and assay for anti-insulin receptor antibody was positive. Here, we report a case of IAS concomitant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Autoantibodies ; C-Peptide ; Diet ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperinsulinism ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin* ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; Receptor, Insulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis* ; Thyroxine