Dr. Sherman Defines RAI Resistance in Thyroid Cancer

Steven I. Sherman, MD, Department Chair, Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, describes the need to expand the clinical definition of radioactive iodine (RAI) resistance for patients with thyroid cancer.

The current definition of RAI resistance includes patients with metastatic thyroid cancers that do not take up RAI but have visible lesions by chest x-ray or CT scan. However, Sherman notes, other important definitions are becoming increasingly recognized, such as lesions that take up RAI but do not respond.

Efforts to expand the clinical definition of RAI resistant thyroid cancer are necessary to identify patients who should receive systemic chemotherapy, Sherman explains.