Pilot Clinical Trial Evaluating Radiofrequency Ablation for Small, Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer in Adults

What this Trial Is About

This research evaluates the use of radiofrequency ablation RFA as a less invasive treatment option for adults with small, low-risk papillary thyroid cancer PTC measuring less than 2 cm. The study focuses on patients who decline surgery or active surveillance or are transitioning from active surveillance to treatment. The goal is to assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of RFA, which may avoid surgery-related complications while preserving the thyroid gland. Participants undergo a single outpatient RFA procedure using ultrasound guidance and local anesthesia with light sedation. The treatment uses controlled heat to destroy the tumor while protecting nearby critical structures. Follow-up lasts up to 12 months and includes clinical visits, neck ultrasounds, blood tests, voice assessments, and patient questionnaires. A biopsy of the treated area is performed 6 to 12 months after RFA to check for cancer control. During the study, participants are closely monitored through imaging, laboratory tests, and patient-reported outcomes related to symptoms, quality of life, and treatment satisfaction. The primary outcomes are local cancer control and safety, with secondary outcomes including ultrasound features, tumor volume changes, complications, thyroid function, and patient experience. This study aims to provide early data to guide future larger trials comparing RFA with surgery and surveillance.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Curative Treatment of Small Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancer: Pilot Study