Clinical outcomes and associated factors of radioiodine-131 treatment in differentiated thyroid cancer with cervical lymph node metastasis

Cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is common in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Radioiodine-131 ( I) treatment is recommended for the removal of residual thyroid tissue following thyroidectomy. To date, the effect of I therapy on the outcomes of patients with DTC with CLNM is unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the final outcome of patients with DTC with CLNM according to I administration, and to analyze the factors that may affect clinical outcomes. A total of 357 patients with DTC with CLNM were recruited and divided into three groups: Those who received 2, 3 or 4 doses of I therapy, respectively. Successful ablation was defined as levels of stimulated serum thyroglobulin