Efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation on low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma and impact on patient's life quality / 中国介入影像与治疗学

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the efficacy of percutaneous microwave ablation on low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and impact on patient's life quality. Methods: Totally 75 pathologically confirmed patients with single low risk PTMC (T1N0M0) were treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively after operation. The therapeutic effect and complications were observed, and score the physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) scores were counted. Results: The operation was successfully completed in all 75 patients. Four patients experienced temporary hoarseness during the ablation process and recovered within 2 h, while 15 patients complained of radiation-induced ear root pain, neck pain and other symptoms which immediately relieved after ablation. Twenty-four months after operation, the effective rate of treatment was 100% (75/75), the lesion disappearance rate was 93.33% (70/75), while no local recurrence occurred. The maximum diameter and volume of lesions increased 1 and 3 months after operation but decreased 6, 12 and 24 months after operation (all P0.05). PCS scores at different time points before and after operation showed no statistical significant difference (all P>0.05). MCS scores and SF-36 scores of all time points after operation were higher than those before operation (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Percutaneous ablation is safe and effective for treating low risk PTMC, which can improve the patient's life quality.