Radioiodine

Radioiodine (RAI) therapy is a frequently applied and effective treatment for thyroid cancer. Iodine in the human body is mainly absorbed by thyroid cells (as they need it to produce thyroid hormones), so the radioiodine will therefore mainly end up in the thyroid cells and thyroid cancer cells and eliminate them.

This principle works the same throughout the body, so any metastases will be counteracted this way too. However, radioiodine is not effective against thyroid cancer cells that are so malignant that they are no longer similar to the original thyroid cells and therefore cannot absorb iodine.

Latest publication date: 28/12/2023