[Radioiodine therapy and percutaneous radiotherapy of struma maligna]

Effective therapy of thyroid malignancies requires close cooperation between endocrinologists, surgeons and radiologists. Radioiodine offers the unique possibility of curing highly differentiated carcinoma even when it is in a disseminated state. Percutaneous radiotherapy is a proven treatment regimen for residual tumor tissue after surgery and iodine-131 therapy, for locally advanced carcinomas and for recurrences. The controversy surrounding postoperative "prophylactic" radiotherapy in differentiated carcinomas is discussed. The two treatment modalities using ionizing radiation - radioiodine and external irradiation - are reviewed and discussed with reference to indications, techniques, complications and results.