A recent study has shown the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

The study found that the tumors were completely eliminated in 95.9% of patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation. The procedure also led to sustained improvements in mental and social quality of life, with few side effects.

In addition, the study confirmed that women who underwent the procedure were able to have healthy pregnancies and childbirths, suggesting that radiofrequency ablation could be a new, less physically burdensome treatment option.

A team of professors from Seoul National University Hospital, including Kim Ji-hoon and Lee Ji-ye from the Department of Radiology and Park Young-joo from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, followed 98 patients aged 12 to 60 with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma for up to 4.8 years.

Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, which is less than 1 cm in size, is a slow-growing cancer with a good prognosis. Treatment options include thyroidectomy or active surveillance.

However, many patients are choosing active surveillance, which involves monitoring the tumor's status through regular checkups, to avoid surgery. This can cause anxiety for patients due to the possibility of cancer progression.

Therefore, there is a need for new alternative treatment options for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

In this study, the research team analyzed 98 patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma who chose radiofrequency ablation, a non-invasive treatment method, instead of surgery or active surveillance.

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure in which a fine needle is inserted into the tumor and surrounding tissue, and then high heat is used to destroy the tissue. The destroyed tissue is then naturally absorbed by the body over time.

Radiofrequency ablation was successfully performed in all patients, and the research team prospectively followed their ablation zone (the area destroyed by radiofrequency), cancer progression, side effects, and quality of life.

After a maximum of 4.8 years of follow-up, the ablation zone continuously decreased after the procedure, and was completely eliminated in 95.9% of all patients at the final follow-up.

The cancer progression rate was 3%, with most patients not experiencing tumor growth or metastasis. One patient experienced temporary vocal cord paralysis, but recovered after 6 months, and no other complications occurred.

Additionally, results from the Thyroid-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (10-point scale) showed that both mental (7.3 vs 8.0) and social (8.0 vs 8.7) quality of life scores continuously increased for more than 2 years after the procedure.

On the other hand, physical scores did not significantly decrease (8.6 vs 8.5), indicating that the procedure can effectively remove the cancer with few side effects and minimal psychological burden.

The research team also explained that 9 women who underwent the procedure were able to become pregnant and give birth healthily without cancer recurrence or complications, suggesting that this treatment method may be suitable for young female patients planning to become pregnant.

Professor Kim Ji-hoon said, "Radiofrequency ablation, which has proven effective and safe, can be considered as a treatment option for patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, along with surgery or active surveillance."

He added, "It is necessary to establish related systems and expert consensus so that radiofrequency ablation, which has accumulated a lot of clinical evidence worldwide, can be properly established in Korea without misuse or overuse."