Longer-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longer-term efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent RFA for 46 recurrent PTC between September 2008 and April 2012 and were subsequently followed up for at least 5 years. Follow-up included size change on US and thyroglobulin (Tg) level at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and every 6-12 months thereafter. Any complications were reported during follow-up.

The mean follow-up duration after RFA was 80 ± 17.3 months (range, 60-114 months). Tumor volume decreased significantly, from 0.25 ± 0.42 mL before ablation to 0.01 ± 0.08 mL at the final evaluation (p < 0.001), with a mean volume reduction of 99.5% ± 2.9%. Forty-two of the 46 treated tumors (91.3%) had completely disappeared by the final evaluation. The mean serum Tg level decreased from 2.55 ± 4.7 to 0.75 ± 1.83 ng/dL (p < 0.001). There were no delayed complications associated with RFA during the follow-up period.

RFA seems to be an effective minimally invasive therapy for the treatment of locally recurrent PTC even in the longer-term period.

• RFA is an effective local control treatment option for recurrent PTCs even in the longer-term period with mean tumor VRR of 99.5% and the complete disappearance of the treated tumors in 91.3%. • The mean serum Tg level decreased significantly after RFA and biochemical remission rate was 51.7%. • No delayed complication after RFA for local recurrent PTC.