INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SIDE-EFFECTS OF HIGH-DOSE RADIOIODINE THERAPY FOR THYROID-CARCINOMA

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.