Radioactive iodine: An unappreciated threat to salivary gland function

Late side effects of radioactive iodine on salivary gland function in patients with thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess the late side effects of radioiodine therapy (RIT) on salivary gland function. One hundred eighty two patients were evaluated. METHODS Assessment of salivary gland function was performed with salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS), sialometry, and subjective open questions to determine common side effects of RIT on salivary gland function. RESUL...

Radioactive iodine and the salivary glands.

Radioactive iodine ((131)I) targets the thyroid gland and has been proven to play an effective role in the treatment of differentiated papillary and follicular cancers. Simultaneously, this radioisotope hones in on the salivary glands where it is concentrated and secreted into the saliva. Dose related damage to the salivary parenchyma results from the (131)I irradiation. Salivary gland swelling...

Salivary gland side effects commonly develop several weeks after initial radioactive iodine ablation.

UNLABELLED Salivary gland side effects (SSEs) can be a source of significant morbidity in thyroid cancer patients receiving radioactive iodine (RAI) for remnant ablation or therapy. However, the incidence, time course, and ultimate resolution of SSEs that develop in the first few months after a single administered activity of RAI for remnant ablation has not be adequately defined. METHODS We ...

Salivary gland function

Radioactive Iodine as an Indicator of the Metabolism of Iodine

According to Harington, two fractions, one “thyroxine-like” and the other “diiodotyrosine-like,” can account for all of the organic iodine found in the thyroid gland (1). The metabolism of these compounds has been reviewed recently by Salter (2). The labeling of iodine by radioactivity provides for the first time a desirable tool for the study of the endogenous or normal rates of formation of t...