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Updated: Oct 20, 2025

Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
Published on: June 9, 2023
Radioactive Iodine Treatment and the Risk of Long-Term Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Thyroid Cancer
Chun-Hao Kao1, Chi-Hsiang Chung2,3, Wu-Chien Chien2,3
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei City 11490, Taiwan.
Abstract:
(1) Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between radioactive iodine (RAI) and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity/mortality in thyroid cancer. (2) Methods: The study was conducted using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database during 2000-2015. Thyroid cancer patients aged ≥20 years were categorized into RAI (thyroidectomy with RAI) and non-RAI (thyroidectomy only) groups. The Cox proportional hazard regression model and Kaplan-Meier method were used for analysis. (3) Results: A total of 13,310 patients were included. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that the two groups had similar cumulative risks of CVD (log-rank p = 0.72) and CVD-specific mortality (log-rank p = 0.62). On Cox regression analysis of different RAI doses, the risk of CVD was higher in the cumulative dosage >3.7 GBq (hazard ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-2.40, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: RAI was not associated with an increased risk of CVD in thyroid cancer. However, CVD surveillance is indicated in the patients receiving the cumulative RAI dosage above 3.7 GBq.
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