Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for recurrent contralateral tumors that developed after initial surgery for...

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for recurrent contralateral tumors that developed after initial surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

This retrospective study included 32 postoperative patients with PTC with unifocal recurrent contralateral tumors who underwent RFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The RFA procedures were performed using the hydrodissection technique, moving-shot technique, and enlarged ablation technique. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter. Local tumor progression (LTP), volume reduction rate (VRR), tumor complete disappearance, complications, and delayed surgery were evaluated during the follow-up.

The mean follow-up period of RFA was 54.4 ± 24.3 months. Two patients developed lymph node metastases (LNMs), and the overall incidence of LTP was 6.3% (2/32). No newly identified tumors or distant metastases were observed. The median VRR was 100%, and 90.4% of the tumors had completely disappeared. One patient experienced transient voice change (3.1%). Because of anxiety, one patient underwent delayed surgery (3.1%), and no residual cancer cells, occult tumors, or cervical LNMs were found. No patients experienced hypothyroidism following RFA.

RFA may be considered as a feasible and safe local treatment for recurrent contralateral tumors after the initial surgery for PTC in select patients who are not candidates for or who refuse repeat surgery.