- Cancer Types
Information about risk, prevention, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and support for all cancers Cancer A to Z - Cancer Treatment
Cancer Treatment
Information about cancer treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, clinical trials, proton therapy, complementary medicine, and cutting edge technologies.
- Risk and Prevention
- Cancer Drugs
- Support
Support
Ways for cancer patients and caregivers to cope with cancer, side effects, nutrition, general cancer support issues, grief/end of life issues, and shared survivor's experiences.
- Healthcare Professionals
- Clinical Trials
My Patient Treatment Binder
OncoLink Blogs
What's My Cancer Risk?
OncoPilot: Navigating Your Cancer Journey
Community Events Calendar
OncoLink eNews
Abramson Cancer CenterRAI Side Effects
OncoLink
Last Modified: August 14, 2012
Question
What are the side effects of radioactive iodine? Is it always a cure for thyroid cancer?
Answer
Kolin Hoff, MD, Endocrinologist at Penn Medicine responds:
The most common long term side effect of radioactive iodine in damage to salivary glands. Short term side effects are change in taste. Radioactive iodine is usually given to ablate the remaining thyroid tissue and help in monitoring for a recurrence. Radioiodine may or may not "cure" thyroid cancer if it has spread.
This question and answer was part of OncoLink's Brown Bag Web Chat Series. View the entire transcript of Focus on Thyroid Cancer.
Cancer Types
Bone Cancer
Brain Tumors
Breast Cancer
Carcinoid Tumors
Endocrine System Cancers
Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gynecologic Cancers
Head and Neck Cancers
Leukemia
Lung Cancers
Lymphomas
Myelomas
Pediatric Cancers
Penile Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Sarcomas
Skin Cancers
Testicular Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Urinary Tract Cancers
OncoLink Vet
Cancer Treatment
Biologic Therapy
Bone Marrow Transplants
Chemotherapy
Clinical Trials
Complementary Medicine
Gene Therapy
General Treatment Concerns
Hormone Therapy
PDT Center
Proton Therapy
Radiation Oncology
Surgical Oncology
Targeted Therapies
Vaccine Therapies
Cancer Support
Caregivers
Hospice Care and Bereavement
Nutrition and Cancer
Sexuality & Fertility
Side Effects
Support
Survivorship
Exercise and Cancer
Cancer Resources
Cancer News
OncoLink University
Nurses' Notes
Conferences
Newly Diagnosed Patients
Causes and Prevention
Legal and Financial Information for Patients
LGBT Resources
NCI Resources
Global Resources
Cancer Resource List
Resources for Young Adults
OncoLink Media Library
OncoLink TV
Book, Music and Video Reviews
Ask the Experts
Brown Bag Chat
Tracy's Corner
About OncoLink
About OncoLink
Giving to OncoLink
Contact Information
Usage Policy
Editorial Board
How to Partner with OncoLink
Link to OncoLink
Mission Statement
