Radiofrequency Ablation for Primary Thyroid Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), especially papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC), is increasingly managed with minimally invasive techniques.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) presents a promising alternative to traditional treatments for selected PTC cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on the indications, efficacy, and safety of RFA for managing low-risk PTC.
• To evaluate RFA as a treatment option compared to surgery and active surveillance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of recent studies on RFA for PTC.
• Analysis of data regarding tumor response, progression, recurrence rates, and safety profile.
• Evaluation of RFA's impact on thyroid function and patient recovery.

Main Results:

• RFA demonstrates significant tumor volume reduction with high rates of complete or near-complete response.
• Low progression and recurrence rates were observed, alongside a favorable safety profile.
• Advantages include preserved thyroid function, no visible scarring, and shorter recovery times.

Conclusions:

• RFA is recognized in emerging guidelines as a viable option for carefully selected low-risk PTC, especially tumors <1 cm without extrathyroidal extension or nodal involvement.
• Current data support RFA as an effective, safe, and well-tolerated alternative to surgery and active surveillance.
• Further long-term data are needed to confirm durability, and development of specialized centers is crucial due to operator dependency.