Micro-papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options: 1.Surgery 2. Active Surveillance 3. RFA Ablation.

Micro-papillary Thyroid Cancer Treatment Options: 1.Surgery 2. Active Surveillance 3. RFA Ablation.

Alternative #3  RFA without surgery or AS.

Biopsy positive micro-papillary at 4.4 mm and 0.036 ml.

Method # 3     RFA

Case:

37 Y/O male with incidental finding of a small nodule during a CT of neck.

US confirmed a 4.4 mm nodule

FNA confirmed PTC.

After consultations that recommended surgery or AS, he elected to have RFA.

A 20 minute RFA procedure with 20 watts of power ablated the cancer.

He had no pain or symptoms. His voice was checked while he was awake during the procedure done with just a local.

Dr.Guttler’s comments;

1. All three treatment options are available to him.

2. He refused surgery for this micro-papillary.

3. After discussion about the second option of careful follow up with ultrasounds called active surveillance AS, he did not want the cancer in his neck for years of follow up.

4. He opted for RFA ablation of the small cancer followed by cutting needle biopsy  to determine if the ablation was complete.

5. He did not want to have half his thyroid removed and did not want to have to take thyroid hormone after.

6. He agreed to a second RFA if there was residual cancer cells seen on the CNB.

7. Stay tuned for follow up after the CNB.

8. If you have a small papillary thyroid cancer consider thyroid RFA.

9. Call me at 310-393-8860 or thyroid.manager@thyroid.com.

10. Ask for Alicia.

11. Dr.G.