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Annals of Nuclear Medicine
Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine 2/2012

01-02-2012 | Invited review article

Radioactive iodine (131I) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer in Japan: current issues with historical review and future perspective

Authors: Tatsuya Higashi, Takashi Kudo, Seigo Kinuya

Published in: Annals of Nuclear Medicine | Issue 2/2012

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Abstract

Radioactive iodine (RAI, 131I) has been used as a therapeutic agent for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with over 50 years of history. Recently, it is now attracting attention in medical fields as one of the molecular targeting therapies, which is known as targeted radionuclide therapy. Radioactive iodine therapy (RIT) for DTC, however, is now at stake in Japan, because Japan is confronting several problems, including the recent occurrence of the Great East Japan Disaster (GEJD) in March 2011. RIT for DTC is strictly limited in Japan and requires hospitalization. Because of strict regulations, severe lack of medical facilities for RIT has become one of the most important medical problems, which results in prolonged waiting time for Japanese patients with DTC, including those with distant metastasis, who wish to receive RIT immediately. This situation is also due to various other factors, such as prolonged economic recession, super-aging society, and subsequent rapidly changing medical environment. In addition, due to the experience of atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japanese people have strong feeling of “radiophobia”. There is fear that GEJD and related radiation contamination may worsen this feeling, which might be reflected in more severe regulation of RIT. To overcome these difficulties, it is essential to collect and disclose all information about the circumstances around this therapy in Japan. In this review, we would like to look at this therapy through several lenses, including historical, cultural, medical, and socio-economic points of view. We believe that clarifying the problems is sure to lead to the resolution of this complicated situation. We have also included several recommendations for future improvements.
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Metadata
Title
Radioactive iodine (131I) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer in Japan: current issues with historical review and future perspective
Authors
Tatsuya Higashi
Takashi Kudo
Seigo Kinuya
Publication date
01-02-2012
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Annals of Nuclear Medicine / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 0914-7187
Electronic ISSN: 1864-6433
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-011-0553-4

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