A preliminary study of microwave ablation (MWA) for Bethesda IV follicular neoplasms (≤3 cm).

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of patients with Bethesda IV follicular neoplasms (FNs) (≤3 cm).

Methods: In the retrospective study, patients who underwent MWA for Bethesda IV follicular neoplasms (≤3 cm) were included. Technical success, volume reduction, disease progression, and adverse event (AE) rates were analyzed postablation.

Results: The study cohort consisted of 44 patients with a mean age of 48.2 ± 15.7 years. The median follow-up period was 16 months (IQR: 9-24 months). The technical success rate was 100%. The median volume reduction ratio (VRR) reached 100% (IQR: 98.8%-100.0%) after the 18th month of follow-up. The disease progression rate was 4.5% (2/44), and both of those patients experienced local recurrence. The overall AE rate was 9.1% (4/44), and AEs included three cases of voice hoarseness and one case of cough.

Conclusion: This study presents promising clinical outcomes regarding the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of MWA for the treatment of patients with Bethesda IV follicular neoplasms ≤ 3 cm.

Advances in knowledge: The study highlights the high technical success rate, low disease progression rate and AE rate of MWA for FNs, which underscores its potential for broader application. Future research should aim to validate these results in larger populations to increase the scope of therapy for FNs.