Definition: Ablation usually means removal, typically surgical removal.
When the thyroid is surgically removed, that's called surgical ablation for the thyroid.
When radioactive iodine is used as a treatment for an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), with the purpose of reversing the overactivity, this is referred to as radioactive ablation, or sometimes chemical ablation.
Also Known As: in the context of thyroid disease, also known as ablation therapy, radioablation, radioiodine ablation, radioactive iodine ablation, radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment, and I-131 treatment
