System Maintenance Notice

Please note that maintenance work is scheduled between 4 AM and 5 AM - CET. During this time, you may experience reduced performance. Thanks for your patience.

Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 40635097 DOI: 10.1186/s40644-025-00908-7

Current evidence and strategies for preventing tumor recurrence following thermal ablation of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Cancer Imaging 25(1):88

Authors: Ru Li, Luyang Yang, Ming Xu, Baofeng Wu, Qinhao Liu, Qin An, Yuchen Sun, Yi Zhang, Yunfeng Liu

Affiliations

  • Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China. First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
  • Department of Geriatrics, Changzhi People's Hospital, Changzhi, China.
  • First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
  • Department of Pharmacology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
  • Department of Endocrinology, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China. First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China. Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has been increasing, and thermal ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for low-risk cases. However, post-ablation tumor progression remains a significant clinical challenge.

METHODS

This review synthesizes existing literature on tumor progression after thermal ablation for PTC, analyzing potential causes and evaluating preventive strategies at different diagnostic and treatment stages.

RESULTS

Current research reports indicate that the probability of disease progression following thermal ablation for PTMC ranges from 1.25 to 7.7%, a rate comparable to that of surgical management. Nodules exceeding 10 mm in diameter are associated with a higher risk of post-procedural progression. However, pathological evidence supporting these findings remains limited. Risk factors such as suboptimal patient selection and tumor proximity to critical structures further influence outcomes. Improved imaging guidance, standardized protocols, and stringent follow-up may reduce these complications.

CONCLUSION

When these recommendations are followed, thermal ablation for PTMC achieves effective reduction in tumor progression risk and represents a viable alternative for appropriately selected patients. However, expansion of its indications requires further robust evidence from large-scale, pathology-based studies.

MeSH

Thyroid Cancer, Papillary, Neoplasms, Thyroid Gland