Radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131) Therapy

Treatment for Thyroid cancer

Typical Dosage: 30-200 mCi

Effectiveness
90%
Safety Score
30%
Clinical Trials
14
Participants
50K

Comparative Safety Scale(Higher is safer)

Cyanide☠️
Meth💀
Cigarettes🚬
Chemo☢️
Alcohol🍺
Morphine💊
Antibiotics💉
Tylenol💊
Exercise🏃
Water💧
30
DangerousModerateSafe
Treatment Details
Dosage Range
30-200 mCi
Time to Effect
Weeks to months for ablation, sustained effect
Treatment Duration
Single dose or few doses
Evidence Quality
HIGH
Number Needed to Treat (NNT)
18(Treat 18 patients to see 1 additional successful outcome)
Number Needed to Harm (NNH)
5(Treat 5 patients to see 1 additional serious adverse event)
Confidence Score
90%confidence in effectiveness data
Health Economics
Annual Cost of Care
Drug Cost:$0
Monitoring:$1,500
Side Effect Mgmt:$300
Total Annual:$1,800
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Cost-Effectiveness Rating
EXCELLENT
ICER
$26,012/QALY
QALYs Gained
2
Comparison vs Observation (no RAI after surgery for intermediate-high risk)
Cost Difference
+$10,000/year
More expensive
QALY Difference
+0.50 QALYs
Better outcomes
Dominance
No dominance
Radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131) Therapy Outcomes

for Thyroid cancer

Efficacy Outcomes
Overall Effectiveness
+90%
Response Rate
+85%
Remission Rate
+85%
Common Side Effects
Salivary gland swelling/pain
+20%
Taste disturbance
+15%
Neck pain/swelling
+30%
Nausea/vomiting
+5%
Fatigue
+10%
Increased risk of secondary malignancies (long-term)
+0.5%

Sources:

nih.gov
nih.gov
oup.com

WARNING: LIMITED TRIALS AVAILABLE

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Active Clinical Trials
3 active trials recruiting for Radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131) Therapy in Thyroid cancer

Vemurafenib and Cobimetinib for the Treatment of Patients With High Risk Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma With BRAFV600E Mutation

NCT06440850RECRUITINGPHASE2
View Study
21 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Duarte, United States
Started: Jul 15, 2024

The Role of Trop2 in Radioactive Iodine-131 Therapy Sensitivity in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

NCT07314255ACTIVE NOT RECRUITING
View Study
60 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
Nanchang, China
Started: Dec 18, 2025

Use of a Decision Aid to Resolve Uncertainty About Radioactive Iodine Treatment in Patients With Intermediate Risk Thyroid Cancer

NCT06980103RECRUITINGNA
View Study
408 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Washington D.C., United States +2 more
Started: Aug 6, 2025
Completed Clinical Trials
4 completed trials for Radioactive Iodine-131 (I-131) Therapy in Thyroid cancer

Iodine I-131 With or Without Selumetinib in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Thyroid Cancer

NCT02393690COMPLETEDPHASE2
View Study
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
La Jolla, United States +10 more
Started: May 4, 2015

Iodine I 131 and Pazopanib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Recurrent and/or Metastatic Thyroid Cancer Previously Treated With Iodine I 131 That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

NCT01413113COMPLETEDPHASE1
View Study
6 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Seattle, United States
Started: Dec 1, 2011

Decitabine in Treating Patients With Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer or Follicular Thyroid Cancer Unresponsive to Iodine I 131

NCT00085293COMPLETEDPHASE2
View Study
12 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Aurora, United States +2 more
Started: May 1, 2004

Selumetinib in Treating Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer That Did Not Respond to Radioactive Iodine

NCT00559949COMPLETEDPHASE2
View Study
39 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
Tampa, United States +5 more
Started: Dec 1, 2007