Laser Ablation of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Laser Ablation of Thyroid Papillary Microcarcinoma

The purpose of this study is to explore whether percutaneous laser ablation (PLA) is a safe and effective alternative to removing papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years

• Papillary thyroid cancer documented by

  • (a) Bethesda VI cytology,
  • (b) Bethesda III, IV, V, or VI cytology AND BRAF V600E mutation, or
  • (c) Bethesda V cytology AND high risk ultrasonographic features documented by either the ATA high suspicion or TIRADS 5 nodule characteristics

To ensure the majority of cases will be eligible based on criteria (a) or (b), we will enroll ≤ 2 patients based on criteria (c).

• Maximum diameter ≤ 13 mm
• Declined active surveillance
• The thyroid lesion must be primarily solid with ≤ 25% cystic compent
• No US evidence of extrathyroidal extension through the thyroid capsule
• No imaging evidence of lymph node metastasis
• Preserved contralateral vocal cord function prior to PLA

Exclusion Criteria:

• Thyroid cancer that is non papillary thyroid cancer (PTC)
• Thyroid lesion with > 25% cystic component
• Lesion with US evidence of extrathyroidal extension through the thyroid capsule
• Clinical or ultrasonographic evidence of lymph node metastasis
• Pregnancy