How is RAI Dose Determined?

[dscoochie]

How much RAI were you given, and / or do you know how the dose is determined?

Thanks.

[K2kids]

Hi, hope your having a good day? I had 100.7mci and I am a very small person. I thought it was by weight too? All I know is it knocked me down for the 1st week, so it must have been strong. You will do well and keep positive thoughts.
Kim

[nissah46]

I think the dose is partly determined by the WBS. I was first going to get 150mci, but after the scan they decided on 200mci because I had uptake in three different areas and they wanted to blast it.
Trish

[AR-10]

I kid you not.

I quized my Endo and her staff repeatedly about how they were going to arrive at a dose. I wanted to make sure they didn't screw up and do half a job. The staff said "it's up to the Doctor".

The doctor said she dosed me based on body weight, and years of "getting it right".

Body weight?? What about size and weight of the gland? What about the uptake test? I'm sure she looked at the uptake scan and used that as a guide.

Then, as she was making me sign consent forms she told me she was going to play it on the safe side (for me), and if it didn't work WE COULD ALWAYS DO IT AGAIN!  

Handing me this 12 microcuries pill and I'm thinking "I could do 16". :-(

They look at different things for different cases. The doctor's discretion plays a big part of the exact dosage. They look at scans and blood tests and then assess risk to patient and ramifications of over treating or undertreating, and then pick a number.

[imedicmommy]

AR has it right. I've had it twice 50 the first time and 85 the second and there was less tissue to kill the second time. Go figure.

[898]

In theory the dose determined by
-the amount of tisuuse to be destroyed;
- the weight of the patient [one single pill vs several smaller pills]

[shannon828]

Yesterday was my first day that I really felt like my old self.  My TT was on 4/11 and my RAI on 5/9.  I would say the whole process took about 6 weeks from start to finish.  I feel really good the past few days...plus my follow-up scan showed no other "glowing spots" in my body, so I am a happy camper today :)

You will defnitely do great, I had no mercy on this cancer- it didn't stand a chance :)

[RodeoQueen]

Well this is true!!! I am just waiting for my 2nd surgery nad then the RAI!!! WAHOOO... Ho do you feel now??? I hit the bIG dogs here in utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. GONNA KILL this CANCER ****!!!!
RQ

[shannon828]

I didn't even look at my pathology report, but I do know that I had a 1.5 primary tumor on the left lobe and 2 of 3 lymph nodes that were removed tested positive.  On the other hand, KelDC had no lymph node involvement and she got a higher dose than me (100 mci), so there really is no way to tell as every doctor seems to have their own way of going about things.  It look as if my 75 mci was effective though!

[RodeoQueen]

I wonder what I will get??? Did you read my path?? Was yours similar to mine?? You had PC??? RIGHT?
RQ

[shannon828]

I was given 75 millicuries.  My doctor had this number in mind for me based on my pathology report.  I'm not sure what other factors contributed to his decision, but weight, height seem logical as do the stage of your cancer as determined by your pathology report.  I was staged at 1,  I assume if at my WBS if a whole bunch of tissue lit up around the body that dosage might have changed, but I only had uptake in the thyroid bed.

[dscoochie]

You are always good for a laugh, AR. And seemingly, always when I need one.  Thanks!

[AR-10]

Ablation of the gland just to get rid of it uses a dosage span of 12-18 millicuries (sp?).

I got 12. :-(

Dosage for cancer eradication runs between 50-200 millicuries.

They say they have a formula based on weight, hormone levels, and vast experience.


They've got a dartboard in the Doctor's inner sanctum.

[AR-10]

Dartboard.