Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study
Xiaojing Cao, Ming-An Yu, Yalin Zhu, Qi Lu, Zhi-Bin Cong, Guo-Zhen Yan, Juan Liu, Hongling Wang, Geng Liu, Jian-Qin Guo, Ying Hao, Zhonghua Wang, Xue Wang, Junfeng He, Aini Shataer, Xiaofang Liu, Zhenlong Zhao, Ying Wei, Li-Li Peng, Yan Li, Shurong Wang, Ying Che
Abstract
PURPOSE: Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation (including microwave ablation [MWA] and radiofrequency ablation [RFA]) has emerged as a remarkable technology for the treatment of benign and malignant diseases. The objective of this multicenter study was to assess the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation in a large cohort of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 725 patients who underwent MWA/RFA at 11 centers between March 2015 and March 2020. The mean age of patients was 46 ± 11 years (range, 22-81); the mean follow-up time was 21 ± 13 months (range, 6-60). Changes in size of tumor, the rates of tumor disappearance, disease progression, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: < 0.001 for all). Five hundred and fifteen (71.0%) PTMCs had completely disappeared as assessed by ultrasound examination. Six (0.8%) patients developed disease progression post-ablation; of these, 5 (0.7%) patients developed new PTMCs, while one (0.1%) patient developed cervical lymph node metastasis. Nineteen (2.6%) patients developed complications post-ablation; of these 14 (1.9%) patients developed voice hoarseness, 4 (0.6%) developed hematoma, and one (0.1%) patient developed cough. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided thermal ablation represents an effective and safe treatment for patients with PTMC besides active surveillance and surgery.