Journal List > J Korean Thyroid Assoc > v.6(1) > 1056540

Jin and June-Key: Methods and Clinical Efficacy of Dosimetry-Based Treatment in Radioiodine Therapy of Thyroid Cancer

Abstract

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.

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Fig. 1.
Dose-response relationships of tumor and normal cells in radiation therapy.
jkta-6-43f1.tif
Table 1.
Commonly recommended dose for RI therapy of thyroid cancer
Van Nostrand et al.2) Yl et al.3)
Local lymph node metastasis 150–175 mCi  
Lung metastasis 175–200 mCi 100–200 mCi*
Bone metastasis 200 mCi

*In case of lung metastasis, it is considered to control whole-body remaining dose at 48 hours under 80 mCi

Table 2.
Modified dosimetry methods to evaluate dose of bone marrow
Authors Major modification
Benua et al.6)
Wahl et al.16)
Furhang et al.17)
Hermanska et al.18)
Hänscheid et al.19)
Monoexponential curve fitting using measurements of blood, urine, and whole body counts, 6 times until 96 hours
Substitution of whole body counting with imaging
Use of only image counting without blood sampling
Biexponential curve fitting
Simplified calculation using single measurement at 48 hours
TOOLS
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