C. Alexander et al., INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SIDE-EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE RADIOIODINE THERAPY FOR THYROID-CARCINOMA, The Journal of nuclear medicine, 39(9), 1998, pp. 1551-1554
The present investigation is an evaluation of intermediate and long-te
rm side effects in patients after high-dose radioiodine treatment due
to differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Methods: A total of 203 patients
were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Results: After ra
dioiodine treatment, 76.8% of the patients reported intermediate (from
discharge up to 3 mo) or long-term (more than 3 mo after treatment) c
omplaints, and 61.1% reported long-term side effects. Nonstochastic si
de effects included sialoadenitis, which occurred in 33.0% of cases, a
nd 27.1% of patients suffered from a transient loss of taste or smell.
More than 1 yr after the last radioiodine application, 42.9% of patie
nts suffered from reduced salivary gland function. Complete xerostomia
occurred in 4.4% of patients. Hematological abnormalities were found
in 9 patients. In 28.1% of patients a transient episode of alopecia wa
s reported. In 22.7% of patients chronic or recurrent conjunctivitis w
as reported, and 4 patients underwent dacryocystorhinostomy; 13.8% of
patients suffered from an increased frequency of influenza, but 3.4% r
eported a reduced occurrence of such infections. For sialoadenitis, th
e loss of taste/smell and dry mouth, the dependence on accumulated act
ivity was significant. Conclusion: Severe long-term side effects are r
are after high-dose radioiodine treatment. Moderate side effects are c
ommon. The side effects are commonly the result of radiation damage to
the salivary glands, The frequency of such complaints advocates regul
ar protection of the salivary glands.