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A clinical study on microwave ablation of multifocal (≤ 3) T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma

  • Ultrasound
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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility, efficiency, and safety of microwave ablation (MWA) for T1N0M0 multifocal (≤ 3) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

This was a retrospective study, and patients who underwent MWA for multifocal (≤ 3) PTC were reviewed between October 2016 and December 2020. After ablation, the changes in tumor size and volume, as well as the rate of technical success, tumor disappearance, disease progression, and complications were assessed.

Results

There were a total of 57 cases enrolled in the present study, which included 18 males and 39 females. The mean age was 44 ± 11 years (22–66 years); the mean follow-up time was 18 ± 11 months (6–48 months). Complete ablation was achieved in all enrolled cases. Therefore, the technical success rate was 100%. Due to expanding ablation, the MD and volume of the ablation zone, as well as the VRR, increased at the 1st and 3rd months after ablation and decreased at 12 and 18 months after ablation (p < 0.05 for all). The total complete tumor disappearance rate was 43.9% (25/57), including 54% (24/44) in the T1a subgroup vs. 7.7% (1/13) in the T1b subgroup (p = 0.003). The total disease progression rate was 7% (4/57), including 9.1% (4/44) in the T1a subgroup vs. 0% (0/13) in the T1b subgroup (p = 0.142). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (3/57), including 6.8% (4/44) in the T1a subgroup vs. 0% (0/13) in the T1b subgroup (p = 0.206).

Conclusion

This preliminary study indicates that MWA is a safe and effective treatment for T1N0M0 multifocal (≤ 3) PTC.

Key points

• MWA is a promising alternative method for T1N0M0 multifocal (≤ 3) PTC.

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Abbreviations

AS:

Active surveillance

CEUS:

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

CLT:

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

FNA:

Fine-needle aspiration

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

LNM:

Lymph node metastasis

MD:

Maximum diameter

MWA:

Microwave ablation

PTC:

Papillary thyroid carcinoma

RCC:

Renal cell carcinoma

RFA:

Radiofrequency ablation

RLN:

Recurrent laryngeal nerve

SD:

Standard deviation

US:

Ultrasound

VRR:

Volume reduction ratio

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Acknowledgements

We thank all participants for their support in this study.

Funding

This study has received fundings by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.62176268) and National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (Grant No. 2022-NHLHCRF-PY-07).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China

    Hui-di Zhou

  2. Department of Interventional Ultrasound Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, No. 2 Yinghuayuan East Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China

    Hui-di Zhou, Ying Wei, Zheng-long Zhao, Lili Peng, Yan Li, Nai-cong Lu & Ming-an Yu

  3. Zhongshan Medical School, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

    Xin-yu Yu

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  1. Hui-di Zhou
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Correspondence to Ming-an Yu.

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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Mingan Yu.

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study.

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Institutional Review Board approval was obtained.

Methodology

  • retrospective

  • diagnostic or prognostic study

  • performed at one institution

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Zhou, Hd., Yu, Xy., Wei, Y. et al. A clinical study on microwave ablation of multifocal (≤ 3) T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma. Eur Radiol 33, 4034–4041 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-022-09333-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-022-09333-x

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