Treatment Options For Hurthle Cell Cancer

Radioactive Iodine Therapy

Radioactive iodine therapy or radioiodine therapy is a thyroid cancer treatment that works by utilizing the interaction between thyroid cells and an element called iodine. The thyroid gland has a unique property of being able to absorb almost all of the iodine inside of the body. The thyroid cells will collect iodine even if they are not still located in the thyroid. These thyroid cells may be leftover from tumor excision surgery, or they may be cancerous thyroid cells that have spread to other parts of the body. Radioiodine therapy uses a radioactive form of iodine or RAI that can be swallowed in a capsule. When the capsule dissolves, the radioactive iodine will be delivered to all thyroid cells in the body including the cancerous one. The RAI will then destroy all of the cells that it has been absorbed by with high doses of radiation. The doses of radiation used in this type of therapy are much higher than the doses used in other forms of radiation. Aside from thyroid removal surgery, radioactive iodine therapy is the most common treatment method used in Hurthle cell cancer patients. It is greatly favored due to its minimal effects on the rest of the body.

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