Sonographic Evolution and Pathologic Findings of Papillary Thyroid Cancer After Radiofrequency Ablation: A Five-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

• DOI: 10.1089/thy.2023.0415
• Publication Date: 2023-10-27T06:40:02Z
• Authors: Xinyang Li; Yingying Li; Lin Yan; Jing Xiao; Zhen Yang; Haoyu Jing; Mingbo Zhang; Yukun Luo
• Keywords: Male; Adult; Radiofrequency Ablation; Treatment Outcome; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary; Humans; Thyrotropin; Thyroid Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Papillary; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography

Background: The criteria for determining technical efficacy of thermal ablation papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are not clearly defined. We analyzed the involution process zone with clear pathologic results on core-needle biopsy (CNB) to clarify relationship between sonographic changes and findings. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 382 patients unifocal T1N0M0 PTC who underwent radiofrequency (RFA) May 2014 August 2021. Patients a single (recommended at 3 or 6 months T1a 12 T1b) regular neck ultrasound (US)/contrast-enhanced imaging follow-up 1, 3, 6, every 6–12 thereafter after RFA were included. also yearly chest computed tomography. CNB was performed in target lesion zone's central, peripheral, surrounding parenchyma detect presence tumor cells. If thyrotropin (TSH) >2 mU/L, levothyroxine prescribed intention keeping TSH 0.5–2 mU/L. Technical defined as disappearance by together pathologically confirmed absence cells zone. Results: During mean period 67.8 ± 18.2 (22–110 months), overall incidence persistent disease rate 3.9% (15/382; 2.9% T1a, 12.2% 96.1%, respectively. Tumor size (p = 0.03) subcapsular location 0.04) risk factors associated disease. success 100%. Of 367 zones benign results, 336 (91.6%) showed US no re-emergence imaging-visible tumors during follow-up. Male sex 0.006), age <40 years 0.003), < 0.01), energy per milliliter significantly disappearance. Conclusions: US-guided is an effective treatment small low-risk PTC. may suggest excellent prognosis confirm complete macroscopic tumor, but this finding generally late requires histological confirmation.