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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Microwave ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: efficacy, safety, and prognostic factors
Guoqiao Li1, Jihua Huang1, Tian Peng2
1Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.
Background:
Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is generally indolent, but conventional surgery may be associated with procedure-related morbidity and impairment of thyroid function, while active surveillance may impose a psychological burden on some patients. Microwave ablation (MWA) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative for selected low-risk PTMC. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MWA for PTMC and highly suspicious PTMC, and to explore the influence of different prognostic factors on treatment outcomes.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 107 patients with PTMC or highly suspicious PTMC who underwent ultrasound-guided MWA were included. Changes in lesion size, volume reduction rate (VRR), thyroid function, complications, and follow-up outcomes were evaluated. Lesions were further categorized into complete absorption and incomplete absorption groups, and potential prognostic factors affecting treatment efficacy were analyzed.
Results:
All patients successfully underwent MWA. The ablation zones showed a characteristic pattern of transient enlargement at 1 month followed by progressive shrinkage thereafter; by 12 months, the maximum diameter (Dmax) was significantly smaller than the preoperative value (P<0.05). The median VRR improved from -895.8% at 1 month to 48.9% at 12 months (P<0.001), and 7 of 24 lesions achieved complete absorption by 12 months. Thyroid function parameters, including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), remained generally within the normal range during follow-up. The overall incidence of adverse events was 6.54% (7/107), all of which were mild, with no major complications observed. No in-situ recurrence or new thyroid lesions were detected during follow-up, and the 5 cases of newly identified cervical lymphadenopathy showed no malignant ultrasonic features.
Conclusions:
MWA appears to be a feasible and safe minimally invasive treatment option for selected patients with low-risk PTMC, with favorable short-term efficacy, preservation of thyroid function, and a low complication rate. However, longer follow-up and comparative studies are still required to confirm its long-term oncological efficacy relative to surgery or active surveillance.
Insights
Microwave ablation (MWA) offers a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for selected low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). This study shows favorable short-term efficacy and thyroid function preservation with MWA for PTMC.
Area of Science:
- Minimally invasive oncological therapies
- Thyroid cancer treatment modalities
- Radiofrequency and ablation techniques
Background:
- Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) is often indolent.
- Conventional surgery for PTMC carries risks of morbidity and thyroid dysfunction.
- Active surveillance for PTMC may cause psychological distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) for PTMC.
- To assess MWA for highly suspicious PTMC.
- To identify prognostic factors influencing MWA treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 107 patients with PTMC or highly suspicious PTMC undergoing ultrasound-guided MWA.
- Evaluation of lesion size changes, volume reduction rate (VRR), thyroid function, and complications.
- Analysis of prognostic factors affecting treatment efficacy and categorization into complete/incomplete absorption groups.
Main Results:
- MWA demonstrated progressive lesion shrinkage, with significantly smaller maximum diameter at 12 months post-procedure (P<0.05).
- Median VRR improved significantly by 12 months (P<0.001), with 7/24 lesions achieving complete absorption.
- Thyroid function remained within normal limits; mild adverse events (6.54%) were observed, with no major complications or recurrence.
Conclusions:
- MWA is a feasible and safe minimally invasive option for selected low-risk PTMC patients.
- Favorable short-term efficacy, preserved thyroid function, and low complication rates were observed.
- Further long-term follow-up and comparative studies are needed to confirm oncological efficacy against surgery or active surveillance.
