Xiao-Jing Cao1, Ming-An Yu1, Ya-Lin Zhu2, Lu Qi3, Zhi-Bin Cong4, Guo-Zhen Yan5, Juan Liu6, Hong-Ling Wang7, Geng Liu8, Jian-Qin Guo9, Ying Hao10, Zhong-Hua Wang11, Xue Wang4, Jun-Feng He5, Aini Shataer7, Xiao-Fang Liu10, Zhen-Long Zhao1, Ying Wei1, Li-Li Peng1, Yan Li1, Shu-Rong Wang3,12, Ying Che2. 1. Department of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. 2. Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China. 3. Department of Medical Ultrasound, Yantai Affliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China. 4. Department of Electrodiagnosis, the Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China. 5. Department of Ultrasound, the First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College of Inner, Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou, China. 6. Department of Thyroid, Beijing Beicheng Chinese Medicine Hospital, Beijing, China. 7. Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, China. 8. Department of Ultrasound, Wuhai People's Hospital, Wuhai, China. 9. Department of Interventional Ultrasound, Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, Xining, China. 10. Department of Ultrasound, Mudanjiang Tumor Hospital, Mudanjiang, China. 11. Special Inspection Section, Wendeng District People's Hospital, Weihai, China. 12. Department of Medical Ultrasound, Yantai Hospital of Shandong Wendeng Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Yantai, China.
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: From 6 months post-ablation, the size of tumors was significantly reduced compared with those recorded pre-ablation (p < 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.
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: From 6 months post-ablation, the size of tumors was significantly reduced compared with those recorded pre-ablation (p < 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.