NCT07107503

10 Years' Follow-up Results of Ultrasound-guided Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Surgery for Low-risk Papillary Thyroid Micro-carcinoma

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 757 (actual)
• Sponsor: Yi Mao · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma (PTMC) generally demonstrates favorable prognosis. However, the potential risk of disease progression requires careful therapeutic consideration. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has garnered attention as a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with PTMC who choose to decline both surgical resection (SR) and active surveillance. However, comprehensive comparative studies evaluating RFA versus surgery regarding long-term oncological efficacy, quality-of-life, and cost-effectiveness in multicenter cohorts remain warranted. To compare the oncological outcomes, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness between RFA and SR for low-risk PTMC over 10 years' follow-up.

Conditions

• Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Surgical Resection
• Long-term Outcomes

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Radiofrequency ablation alone	RFA was performed by four US physicians with ≥ 10 years of experience in in-terventional US. Before ablation, the patients were placed in the supine position with the neck extended, and local anesthesia was administered with lidocaine (1%). RFAs were performed using the hydro-dissection, trans-isthmic and moving-shot techniques according to previously published guidelines. Ablation was terminated when the target tumor changed to a transient hyperechoic zone. Contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) was performed immediately after ablation to evaluate the ablation area. The presence of complications during or after thermal ablation and corresponding treatments was carefully evaluated. All patients were closely observed for 1-2 h after ablation in the hospital.
PROCEDURE	surgical resection	SR was performed under general anesthesia by surgeons with\>15 years of expe-rience in thyroid surgery. The decision to perform total thyroidectomy or lobectomy was made by individual surgeons and patients, based on patient preferences in consu

Timeline

• Start date: 2011-04-01
• Primary completion: 2014-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-01
• First posted: 2025-08-06
• Last updated: 2025-08-06