Efficacy and Prognosis of Microwave Ablation Treatment for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Assessed by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Combined With Genetic and Molecular Diagnostics: A Prospective Observational Study

Launched by SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL OF SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY · Jun 26, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a treatment called microwave ablation for a common type of small thyroid cancer known as papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). PTMC is usually low-risk, meaning it grows slowly and has a good outlook. Traditional treatment is surgery, which can affect the thyroid’s function and may cause side effects or require lifelong medication. Microwave ablation is a newer, less invasive treatment that uses heat to destroy the cancer without surgery. It aims to be safer, cause less damage, and help patients recover faster while keeping the thyroid working well. The study will use advanced ultrasound imaging combined with genetic testing to check how well this treatment works and to help doctors make better treatment decisions.

People eligible for this study are adults aged 18 to 70 who have a single, small (1 cm or less) low-risk thyroid cancer without signs it has spread or grown quickly. They must have had specific tests, including a biopsy and genetic tests, before treatment. Participants can choose to have either microwave ablation or surgery. During the study, patients will have special ultrasound scans that provide detailed images of the thyroid, helping doctors monitor the treatment’s success. This study aims to find out if microwave ablation is a safe and effective alternative to surgery, with fewer side effects and better quality of life for patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18-70 years, gender not specified;
• • Patients with low-risk PTMC receiving initial treatment (meeting all the following conditions: single lesion with a maximum diameter ≤1cm; no cervical lymph node metastasis; no distant metastasis; no extrathyroidal extension; no family history of thyroid cancer; no history of head and neck radiation during childhood);
• • Patients who have undergone fine-needle aspiration cytology examination of thyroid nodules and 88-gene panel testing for thyroid cancer before surgery;
• • Patients voluntarily choose to undergo microwave ablation therapy or surgical resection.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Tumor located in the isthmus of the thyroid;
• • Pathological high-risk subtypes (tall cell subtype, columnar cell subtype, diffuse sclerosing subtype, solid/insular subtype, oncocytic subtype);
• • Progressive enlargement of the cancer lesion in the short term (increase of more than 3mm within 6 months);
• • Pregnant women, lactating women;
• • Patients with severe coagulation disorders;
• • Patients with contralateral vocal cord dysfunction;
• • Patients with contraindications to ultrasound contrast agents;
• • Other conditions deemed ineligible for enrollment by the investigator.