Ultrasonography-guided radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of T2N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma: a preliminary study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasonography (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating T2N0M0 papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the ethics committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital (S2019-211-01). Twelve patients with T2N0M0 PTC (five men and seven women with a mean age of 41.0 ± 9.2 years (range, 21-61 years)), who were not eligible for or refused surgery, were included in our study. RFA was performed with the moving-shot technique, and the ablation area exceeded the tumor edge by at least 3 mm. US was performed before RFA, immediately, 1, 3 , 6 and 12 months after RFA, and every 6-12 months thereafter. RESULTS: All tumors were ablated as planned. The mean follow-up duration was 24.1 ± 6.9 months (range, 13-33 months). The tumor volume decreased significantly from 4.4 ± 2.8 ml to 0.3 ± 0.5 ml, and the volume reduction rate (VRR) was (93.7 ± 7.6)% at the final follow-up with two tumors (16.7%) disappearing. New or recurrent tumors were not found, and no local or distant metastasis were detected during follow-up. No life-threatening or delayed complications were observed. CONCLUSION: RFA may be a potential alternative to surgery for the management of T2N0M0 PTC in select patients, especially for those who are ineligible for surgery.