Vol 15, No 2 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2012-08-28
Iodine-131 for therapy of thyroid diseases. Physical and biological basis
Nucl. Med. Rev 2012;15(2):120-123.
Abstract
Iodine-131 is successfully used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism
and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid is the critical
organ for iodine. Iodine is taken up by the thyroid follicular cells.
Radioactive isotope iodine-131 simultaneously emits two types
of radiation: radiation beta minus (b-) used for the treatment and
gamma (g) used for diagnosis. Due to the penetration of beta
particles in tissue, damaging effect of b-radiation is restricted to
thyroid cells. In this article, characteristic of iodine-131, mechanism
of action and mechanism of tissue damage is presented.
HIGH energy g-ray emission, contributes to the dose of both: patient’s
body and the personnel. In accordance with the principles
of radiation protection, reducing exposure to ionizing radiation
should be achieved by: use of proper shieldings, organization
of work, appropriate distance from the radiation source and
reducing the time of exposure. Treatment with I-131, depending
on medical indications, may be carried out on stationary
or outpatient basis. All activities conducted in the exposure to
radiation must comply with the principles of radiation protection,
in accordance with the applicable regulations, that are also
presented in this article.
and differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid is the critical
organ for iodine. Iodine is taken up by the thyroid follicular cells.
Radioactive isotope iodine-131 simultaneously emits two types
of radiation: radiation beta minus (b-) used for the treatment and
gamma (g) used for diagnosis. Due to the penetration of beta
particles in tissue, damaging effect of b-radiation is restricted to
thyroid cells. In this article, characteristic of iodine-131, mechanism
of action and mechanism of tissue damage is presented.
HIGH energy g-ray emission, contributes to the dose of both: patient’s
body and the personnel. In accordance with the principles
of radiation protection, reducing exposure to ionizing radiation
should be achieved by: use of proper shieldings, organization
of work, appropriate distance from the radiation source and
reducing the time of exposure. Treatment with I-131, depending
on medical indications, may be carried out on stationary
or outpatient basis. All activities conducted in the exposure to
radiation must comply with the principles of radiation protection,
in accordance with the applicable regulations, that are also
presented in this article.
