Long-term outcomes of ultrasound-guided thermal ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma

A multicenter retrospective study reports that ultrasound-guided thermal ablation (TA) is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with solitary low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Over a median follow-up period of 77.2 months, the incidence of disease progression, lymph node metastasis, and recurrent tumors were 3.6%, 1.1%, and 2.5%, respectively. TA achieved a median volume reduction rate of 100% and 471 tumors disappeared radiographically. Complications were minimal and transient. The study found no significant differences in outcomes between radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation subgroups.