Radioiodine Therapy: Managing Side Effects

Newswise — “The best way to manage the adverse side effects of radioiodine therapy is to avoid the side effects by limiting radioiodine exposure,” says Stephanie L. Lee, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the Endocrine Clinics and the Thyroid Disease Center, Boston Medical Center of the Boston Medical Center.

Dr Lee will make her presentation at the “Meet the Professor” session Friday September 25 at 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. during the American Thyroid Association’s (ATA) 80th Annual Meeting September 23-27, 2009, held at The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida.

Dr. Lee will present a case study, review the risks of radioiodine therapy in thyroid cancer including complications in a variety of the body’s systems, and how to prevent long-term complications.

Complications include sialoadenitis (inflammation in the salivary glands causing reduced salivary gland function), and xerostomia (dry, irritated mouth due to lack of saliva production) as well as other side effects, such as loss of taste, severe nausea and vomiting, neck swelling, fertility issues and risks for second malignancies after treatment.

The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality.

A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders. The official journal “Thyroid” of the ATA is published monthly. “Clinical Thyroidology” is published online monthly for the benefit of clinicians and scientists around the world.

Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet. To further benefit patients, the ATA publishes an online journal “Clinical Thyroidology for Patients.” The Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and patient education groups: ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the Graves’ Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction with the ATA annual meeting.

The 80th Annual Meeting of the ATA will be in Palm Beach, Florida, from September 23-27, 2009 at The Breakers Hotel. All registration and program information is available at http://www.thyroid.org. We welcome your participation.

ATA 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 550, Falls Church, VA 22041 * (703) 998-8890 (Fax) (703) 998-8893 * http://www.thyroid.org