RADIOACTIVE IODINE THYROID CANCER TREATMENT (I131) AND FOLLOW-UP CLINIC
The team of physicians at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) provides radioactive iodine treatment (I131) for people who require this highly specialized treatment and follow-up care after the removal of their thyroid cancer. NROC is the only facility in Lackawanna County licensed and equipped for the inpatient stay that is necessary for this treatment procedure.
RADIOACTIVE IODINE THYROID CANCER TREATMENT (I131) AND FOLLOW-UP CLINIC
The team of physicians at Northeast Radiation Oncology Centers (NROC) provides radioactive iodine treatment (I131) for people who require this highly specialized treatment and follow-up care after the removal of their thyroid cancer. NROC is the only facility in Lackawanna County licensed and equipped for the inpatient stay that is necessary for this treatment procedure.
What is I131 treatment?
Iodine I131 is a radioactive form of iodine that destroys thyroid cancer cells that may remain after the removal of a cancerous thyroid gland. It is a non-invasive therapy which is given as an easily swallowed capsule.
Why does the administration of I131 require hospitalization?
Because the capsule of iodine contains a highly radioactive substance, the patient must be cared for and monitored in a facility licensed and equipped to control such radioactive material, so no one else is unnecessarily exposed to the radioactive material.
Why is the radioactive material not harmful to the patient?
Iodine I131 is quickly absorbed by the thyroid cells, where it destroys any remaining cells. The radioactive iodine that is not absorbed by these cells is rapidly eliminated from the body through fluids such as urine, feces, saliva, and perspiration and is not a danger to the patient once it is eliminated.
Why is long-term follow-up necessary after I131 treatment?
Patients who have had I131 treatment after the removal of their thyroid cancer require routine medical follow-up to make sure their cancer has not reoccurred or spread to another part of their body.
How does the NROC Thyroid Clinic help patients in follow-up?
People treated with radioactive iodine by the NROC treatment team have the opportunity to participate in a specialized clinic conducted at NROC for long-term follow-up and monitoring of their thyroid health.
For many years, thyroid medical checkups required patients to stop taking the thyroid hormone replacement they needed after the removal of their thyroid. Going off the thyroid replacement hormone resulted in unpleasant side effects for the patient.
Now, the follow-up care is much less difficult for thyroid cancer patients. The NROC Thyroid Clinic provides routine follow-up care for these patients conveniently with
little or no unwanted side effects.
NROC is the only facility in Lackawanna County offering this critical service for people who have undergone the entire or partial removal of their thyroid because of cancer.
What is I131 treatment?
Iodine I131 is a radioactive form of iodine that destroys thyroid cancer cells that may remain after the removal of a cancerous thyroid gland. It is a non-invasive therapy which is given as an easily swallowed capsule.
Why does the administration of I131 require hospitalization?
Because the capsule of iodine contains a highly radioactive substance, the patient must be cared for and monitored in a facility licensed and equipped to control such radioactive material, so no one else is unnecessarily exposed to the radioactive material.
Why is the radioactive material not harmful to the patient?
Iodine I131 is quickly absorbed by the thyroid cells, where it destroys any remaining cells. The radioactive iodine that is not absorbed by these cells is rapidly eliminated from the body through fluids such as urine, feces, saliva, and perspiration and is not a danger to the patient once it is eliminated.
Why is long-term follow-up necessary after I131 treatment?
Patients who have had I131 treatment after the removal of their thyroid cancer require routine medical follow-up to make sure their cancer has not reoccurred or spread to another part of their body.
How does the NROC Thyroid Clinic help patients in follow-up?
People treated with radioactive iodine by the NROC treatment team have the opportunity to participate in a specialized clinic conducted at NROC for long-term follow-up and monitoring of their thyroid health.
For many years, thyroid medical checkups required patients to stop taking the thyroid hormone replacement they needed after the removal of their thyroid. Going off the thyroid replacement hormone resulted in unpleasant side effects for the patient.
Now, the follow-up care is much less difficult for thyroid cancer patients. The NROC Thyroid Clinic provides routine follow-up care for these patients conveniently with
little or no unwanted side effects.
NROC is the only facility in Lackawanna County offering this critical service for people who have undergone the entire or partial removal of their thyroid because of cancer.
