Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longer-term efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who underwent RFA for 46 recurrent PTC between September 2008 and April 2012 and were subsequently followed up for at least 5 years. Follow-up included size change on US and thyroglobulin (Tg) level at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and every 6–12 months thereafter. Any complications were reported during follow-up.
Results
The mean follow-up duration after RFA was 80 ± 17.3 months (range, 60–114 months). Tumor volume decreased significantly, from 0.25 ± 0.42 mL before ablation to 0.01 ± 0.08 mL at the final evaluation (p < 0.001), with a mean volume reduction of 99.5% ± 2.9%. Forty-two of the 46 treated tumors (91.3%) had completely disappeared by the final evaluation. The mean serum Tg level decreased from 2.55 ± 4.7 to 0.75 ± 1.83 ng/dL (p < 0.001). There were no delayed complications associated with RFA during the follow-up period.
Conclusions
RFA seems to be an effective minimally invasive therapy for the treatment of locally recurrent PTC even in the longer-term period.
Key Points
• RFA is an effective local control treatment option for recurrent PTCs even in the longer-term period with mean tumor VRR of 99.5% and the complete disappearance of the treated tumors in 91.3%.
• The mean serum Tg level decreased significantly after RFA and biochemical remission rate was 51.7%.
• No delayed complication after RFA for local recurrent PTC.
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Abbreviations
- CT:
-
Computed tomography
- EA:
-
Ethanol ablation
- FNAB:
-
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy
- PTC:
-
Papillary thyroid carcinoma
- RFA:
-
Radiofrequency ablation
- Tg:
-
Thyroglobulin
- US:
-
Ultrasound
- VRR:
-
Volume reduction rate
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The scientific guarantor of this publication is Jung Hwan Baek.
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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.
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Study subjects or cohorts overlap
We previously reported the outcome of RFA for locally recurrent PTC after a mean follow-up period of 26.4 months, finding that RFA appears to effectively control locoregional recurrence. This study, an extension of our previous report, analyzed the outcomes of RFA after > 5 years of follow-up.
Lim HK et al. Eur Radiol. 2015;25:163–170
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• retrospective
• observational
• performed at one institution
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Chung, S.R., Baek, J.H., Choi, Y.J. et al. Longer-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer. Eur Radiol 29, 4897–4903 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06063-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-019-06063-5