North American Society for Interventional Thyroidology Statement on Directed Ablative Therapy for the Management of Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Abstract

Thermal ablation (TA) has emerged as a minimally invasive and therapeutic management strategy for low-risk thyroid cancers (LRTCs). Procedural success and safety are highly contingent upon meticulous patient selection and the expertise of the treating physician. The recommended technique for TA of LRTC includes the use of small active ablation zones and low power settings employed via the transisthmic approach. Robust data have demonstrated that TA is cost effective and provides excellent oncological outcomes with a low incidence of complications, such as nerve injury and hypothyroidism. The procedure's efficacy is comparable to that of surgical resection in select patient populations, with recurrence rates remaining low over extended follow-up periods. Long-term success and widespread adoption of TA for LRTC is dependent on skilled follow-up care to monitor and report rates of disease eradication, complications, and recurrence. As advancements in technology and technique continue to evolve, TA is poised to play an increasingly prominent role in the comprehensive management of LRTC, offering patients a balance of efficacy and quality of life.