Is iodine 131 radiation therapy?

Iodine-131 therapy is a kind of radiotherapy.

Iodine-131 is taken into the body by oral administration, etc., and is specifically absorbed by thyroid tissue. It uses its radioactivity to irradiate thyroid cells, killing or inhibiting thyroid cells. This is similar to the principle of traditional radiotherapy using radiation to irradiate tumor sites. Secondly, iodine-131 therapy can be used for the treatment of thyroid diseases, especially for patients with hyperthyroidism and some thyroid cancer.

However, there are some differences between iodine-131 therapy and conventional external irradiation radiotherapy. It mainly plays a role in thyroid tissue, which is relatively limited. External irradiation radiotherapy usually targets specific tumor sites for more extensive irradiation. Therefore, iodine-131 therapy can be regarded as a special form of radiotherapy, and has its unique application and value in medicine. However, in specific applications, comprehensive evaluation and selection are needed according to the patient's condition and specific conditions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of treatment.