Muscat – The Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre is now offering radioiodine (I131) therapy. Twenty-eight patients received the therapy in two months.

Dr Khulood al Riyami, Nuclear Medicine Consultant and Section Head, informed that radioiodine therapy has been used in treating thyroid cancer for decades with minimal side effects compared to other types of therapy and is generally tolerated by patients.

“The decision on a patient’s suitability for such treatment and the required dosage is made by nuclear medicine physicians after evaluating each patient’s histopathological and lab test results, ultrasound and x-ray scans,” she said.

The centre includes four isolated rooms and a mini hot lab for I131 capsule dose preparation and quality check. “It is properly prepared and shielded according to the standard for radiation protection purposes with a separate drainage delay tank to store radioactive waste,” Dr Khulood added.

She informed that all rooms are well prepared by nurses and the medical physics team in advance before a patient’s admission to reduce risk of radioactive contamination. “This includes covering surfaces, beds and floors with disposable waterproof sheets and assigning dedicated leaded waste bins. Additionally, once the patient is discharged, a thorough workflow for waste management is followed to allow proper handling and disposal of such waste.”