Radiofrequency ablation, which uses high-frequency radio waves to remove benign lumps (nodules) from the thyroid gland, is safe and effective, according to a 10-year follow-up study.
Asan Medical Center said Tuesday that a team led by Professor Baek Jung-hwan of the Department of Radiology conducted a long-term follow-up of 421 patients with benign thyroid nodules treated with radiofrequency ablation at the hospital and found that the size (volume) of the nodules decreased by an average of 94 percent after 10 years, showing excellent treatment results.
Thyroid radiofrequency ablation uses radiofrequency heat to remove thyroid lumps without surgery. It offers many benefits to patients, including bilateral thyroid gland preservation to maintain normal thyroid function, no scarring from surgery, and no hospitalization.
The research team also released four-to-five-years follow-up studies of radiofrequency therapy in 2012 and 2018.
The team followed 421 patients (456 nodules) who underwent radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules at Asan Medical Center from March 2007 to December 2010 for up to 12 years (an average of 7.6 years).
At each follow-up, nodule volumes were calculated by ultrasound examination, and symptom scores and cosmetic ratings were assessed.
The results showed that, on average, nodule volume reduction after treatment was greater than 80 percent at year two, 90 percent at year five, and 94 percent at year 10, with significant improvement in symptoms and cosmetic concerns.
Of the total nodules, 12 percent (53 patients) were recurrent. Of these, 33 underwent repeat radiofrequency ablation, four underwent surgical removal, and 16 were observed without further treatment.
During this process, the team found that thyroid nodules with an initial volume of 20 mL or more were associated with a significantly higher risk of regrowth than nodules smaller than 10 mL. This confirmed that if the nodule is not completely treated, some parts of it can grow and, in rare cases, turn into cancer.
In conclusion, the researchers emphasized that benign thyroid nodules should be treated entirely and that vascular ablation is an essential technical solution.
Professor Baek’s team has advocated for the vascular ablation technique since 2017 and recommended it in the 2017 guidelines issued by the Korean Thyroid Association. Vascular thermotherapy is an advanced radiofrequency technology that completely treats the blood vessels around the thyroid nodule to prevent its recurrence.
No patient has died after radiofrequency ablation or developed unexpected complications in long-term follow-up.
“This study is significant because it demonstrates the long-term effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency ablation in treating benign thyroid nodules,” Professor Baek said. “It is important to treat completely the periphery of the nodule with vascular thermotherapy because the initial nodule may grow back over time if it is large in volume. Regular follow-up is essential to ensure the nodule does not recur after successful treatment. We will continue to publish research findings in thyroid radiofrequency to help patients in the future.”
The findings were published in the latest issue of Thyroid (impact factor 7.786), a journal specializing in thyroid.