Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hemithyroidectomy of Small Thyroid Cancers

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS · Jan 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two different treatments for small thyroid cancers that are less than 2 centimeters in size. The goal is to see if a less invasive procedure called radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be as effective as the standard surgery known as hemithyroidectomy. RFA works by using heat to destroy the cancer cells without removing the thyroid tissue. Over five years, researchers will look at how well each treatment works, how they affect thyroid hormone levels, the overall safety of the treatments, patients' quality of life, and the costs associated with each option.

To participate in this trial, patients need to have a single thyroid tumor that is suspected or confirmed to be cancerous, as shown by a specific type of needle test. The tumor must be smaller than 2 cm. However, patients will not be eligible if they have signs that the cancer might have spread, have certain medical conditions, have had previous thyroid surgery, or are pregnant. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups and will be closely monitored to understand the outcomes of their assigned treatment. This trial aims to potentially reduce the need for major surgery and improve the overall health and well-being of patients with small thyroid cancers.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Single tumor in the thyroid gland with a FNAB suspecious of cancer or diagnostic of cancer (category V or VI in the Bethesda system)
• • tumor size of less than 2 cm in all dimensions.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • suspicion of disseminated disease because of PET-positive lymph nodes ; suspect lymph-nodes by ultrasonography (US); or signs of capsular invasion of the tumor OR
• • tumor not eligible for RFA treatment because of high-risk location; previous thyroid surgery; concomitant hyperparathyroidism (ionized calcium \> 1.32 mmol/L and PTH \> 6 pmol//L ) OR
• • if the patient is pregnant OR
• • If the patient is unable to give informed consent.