Radioactive discharge from patients with thyroid cancer under 131I treatment and its safe disposal to the public sewer system

• Published in: Contemporary oncology (Poznań, Poland) Poland), 2005-01, Vol.9 (1), p.38
• Main Author: Mohamad Bagher Tavakoli
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; pol
• ISSN: 1428-2526; 1897-4309

Introduction: The treatment of thyroid cancer using unsealed sources of radioactive materials is usually associated with a large amount of 131I. The major problem for hospital treatment of these patients is the disposal of waste which requires special protection. Materials and methods: 152 patients with thyroid cancer admitted to the nuclear medicine department of Said Al-Shohada Hospital for 131I treatment were studied. Exposure from patients was measured using a Victorian 190F survey dosimeter. 131I excreted from these patients during isolation was calculated. Results: More than 70% of administered 131I was excreted after 24 hours, 90% after 48 hours and 96% after 72 hours of the isolation. The mean biological half-life of 131I in patients with thyroid cancer was found to be 13.9±1.9 hours. There was no significant difference between the mean effective half-life in patients treated for the first time and the second time at 95% significant level. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the difference in the discharge rate of 131I from patients with thyroid cancer receiving first and second treatment was not significant. The mean discharge rate after the first 24 hours was more than 70%, and it was more than 96% after the third 24 hours of drug administration. The results can be used to design a safe collecting and discharge method of the waste.