Does iodine-131 cause cancer?
Exposure to I-131 can increase the risk of thyroid cancer. It is thought that risk is higher for people who have had multiple exposures and for people exposed at a younger age. But even among people who have documented exposures to I-131, few develop this cancer.
What radiation does iodine-131 give off?
Iodine-131 also emits high energy gamma radiation (364 keV; 10%) that can be used for imaging [18E]. Adverse reactions with the use of 131I include myelotoxicity, swelling and tenderness of salivary glands, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and hypothyroidism [19c].
Why is iodine-131 bad?
I-131 exposure increases the risk of thyroid nodules and cancer. Thyroid cancer is rare.
What happens if you are exposed to radioactive iodine?
Radioactive iodine can also be unhealthy for your thyroid gland. If too much radioactive iodine enters your body, the radioactive iodine will destroy your thyroid gland so that the gland will stop making hormones. Too much radioactive iodine in your body can also cause thyroid nodules or cancer.
How long does I 131 stay in your system?
How long does radioiodine stay in my body? The radioiodine from your treatment will temporarily remain in your body. Most of the radioiodine not taken up by your thyroid gland will be eliminated within the first (2) two days after treatment. Radioiodine leaves your body primarily by your urine.
How long does I-131 stay in your system?
How does iodine-131 not affect organs?
Then, the radiation attached to the iodine damages the thyroid cells. Over time, the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone. Because no other organ in the body use iodine, the RAI does not affect any other part of the body. RAI, also called iodine 131 (I-131), is given as a single-dose capsule or liquid.
How does iodine 131 not affect organs?
What happens if you are exposed to I-131?
Acute exposure to I-131 today could occur from unintentional or intentional releases. Public exposure to I-131 or contamination of soil, food, or water by I-131 engenders intense fear. The emotional and psychologic stresses resulting from exposure should be recognized and addressed early in a radiation incident.
Can radiation from I-131 cause thyroid cancer in adults?
The thyroid gland in adults, however, appears to be more resistant to the effects of radiation. There appears to be little risk of developing thyroid cancer from exposure to I-131 or other radiation sources as an adult.
What are the possible late effects of radioiodine (I-131) toxicity?
• Doses from I-131 to the salivary (and lacrymal) glands can be high, up to 15 Gy • Sialadenitis and persistent xerostomia occur in up to 22% • Dry eyes and conjunctivitis are less frequent Alexander et al. JNM 1998 Late effects of radioiodine (I-131)
How long does it take for I-131 to leave the body?
Half of the I-131 released during each atomic bomb test was gone in about 8 days. Almost all of it was gone (less than 1 percent remained) 80 days after the test. Like all radioactive substances, I-131 releases radiation as it breaks down. It is this radiation that can injure human tissues.