Efficacy analysis of first radioiodine (131I) ablation in post-surgical differentiated thyroid carcinomas

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy of the first radioiodine (131I) ablation of residual thyroid on differentiated thyroid carcinomas after surgery and to analyze the influential factors for efficacy. Methods All 91 differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients were treated with 131I after surgery. According to pathologic types of the tumor, surgical options, and time interval between surgery and radioiodine treatment, patients were divided into different groups, then the efficacy was observed. Results Fifty of 91 patients (54.9%) achieved successful thyroid remnant ablation after the first dose. The success rate of first ablation of residual thyroid tissues had no relationship with the pathologic type of the tumor(P>0.05). While it was statistically related to the surgical options, among which patients undertaking the total thyroidectomy possessed the highest success rate (79.3%)(P<0.05). Ninety one patients were divided into 3 groups according to the time interval between surgery and radioiodine ablation: group less than 3 months (3M group), group from 3 to 12 months (3~12 M group), group beyond 12 months (12M). Among them, the 3M group possessed the highest success rate (68.0%)(P<0.05). Conclusions There would be better effect of the first ablation of residual thyroid tissues with total thyroidectomy, ablation conducted within 3 months after surgery. Key words: Thyroid neoplasms/SU/RT; Iodine radioisotopes/TU