Radiofrequency Ablation in the Management of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Literature Review

Thyroid cancer is one of the most common endocrine malignancies worldwide. Surgical resection remains the standard care; however, minimally invasive approaches are increasingly being investigated for patients with low-risk cases, particularly papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). This review summarizes current evidence on the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma, with a primary focus on papillary thyroid carcinoma. 27 key publications were analyzed, including international guidelines, meta-analyses, and prospective and retrospective studies. Available data indicate that RFA achieves local tumor control and recurrence-free survival rates comparable to those of surgical management in appropriately selected low-risk patients, while significantly reducing procedure-related morbidity and preserving thyroid function. The technique demonstrates particular efficacy in patients with solitary tumors of up to 1 cm (T1aN0M0) without evidence of metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of accumulated clinical data, direct comparison between RFA and thyroid surgery, and an analysis of long-term outcomes as reflected in major guidelines from 2022–2025. Current evidence suggests that RFA represents an emerging organ-preserving strategy that maintains oncologic efficacy in low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Further randomized trials are required to define its role within standardized treatment algorithms.