Radioiodine therapy of carcinoma of the thyroid.

The discovery of functioning metastases of thyroid carcinoma and their appropriate treatment with radioiodine are the keys to long-term survival. Functioning metastases can be adequately found only if postsurgical residual normal thyroid tissue is ablated and total body scanning performed. Radioiodine treatment of functioning metastases following appropriate surgery is the treatment of choice, and long-term follow-up with total body scanning techniques is most important.