Update of Radiofrequency Ablation for Treating Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules. The Future Is Now

Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of thermal ablation for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) (65–76) as well as for recurrent thyroid cancer where the risks of surgery outweigh the benefits or in patients who refuse repeat surgery (77–90). However, it should also be recognized that RFA for low-risk PTMC must be considered in the appropriate context, as many studies demonstrate excellent outcomes and minimal growth with simple active surveillance in this patient population. Preliminary work has not shown benefit for poorly differentiated aggressive tumors such as anaplastic carcinoma (69). For medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), surgery remains the treatment of choice. Few case reports have demonstrated RFA to be a safe and effective option for early MTC in patient’s ineligible for surgery (91) or for patients with a regional recurrence after surgical resection of their MTC (92). However, the data is somewhat limited for MTC and remains controversial. Careful evaluation of the desired nodule is required before ablation to ensure a successful outcome for the patient and to avoid delay for possible surgery. The main indications include: a) cytopathology confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) without evidence of aggressiveness b) single PTC without extrathyroidal extension c) no metastatic tumors at the time of treatment and d) ineligibility for surgery (78). The operator should note key features during evaluation, such as capsule invasion or lymph node metastases, and whether an aggressive variant of PTC is present. These features should prompt surgery instead of RFA. Currently, the Italian society does not recommend RFA for first line treatment of primary thyroid cancer, however emerging evidence has shown benefits, safety and efficacy for treatment of low-risk tumors (46).