Radioactive Iodine 131
for the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer
Diagnosis
Any patient with a suspicious thyroid nodule can be referred for evaluation at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center’s Thyroid Clinic. The patient is met by the Thyroid Nurse Navigator and is seen and examined by Dr. Arun Movva, a Board Certified Endocrinologist, and Dr. Vincent Reid, the area’s only fellowship-trained Oncologic Surgeon.
Your Thyroid Cancer Nurse Navigator
Jessica Steffens, RN, is the nurse navigator for thyroid cancer patients and families. Find out how she can help you.
Surgery
If a thyroid cancer is confirmed by biopsy, the first step is usually surgery at Mercy Medical Center by Dr. Reid. The patient is then referred to other specialists based on those results.
Radiation Therapy
Many patients with thyroid cancer benefit from treatment with Radioactive Iodine 131. At the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, patients undergo comprehensive care with dietary preparation, a consultation with a Medical Physicist, and ongoing support from an Oncology Certified Radiation Oncology Nurse. Following the I 131 treatment, which is performed as an outpatient procedure, patients meet with a Radiation Oncologist to review staging results and further recommendations. In rare cases, external beam radiation treatments may be necessary and are performed using the TomoTherapy system.
Medical Treatment
Most patients then require long-term suppressive synthroid therapy, typically managed by Dr. Movva or Dr. Deb Wilbur a Board Certified Medical Oncologist who has specialized training in thyroid cancer treatment. They follow the patient for the long term and direct any further diagnostic testing. If needed, newer therapies, such as targeting agents and clinical trials, are also available.
Survivorship
As patients near the completion of their initial treatment, they meet with an Oncology Certified Radiation Oncology Nurse for a review of their survivorship care plan. The care plan is a summary of the stage and type of their thyroid cancer and recommendations focused on options to maintain and enhance wellness.
