Quality of Life for Patients with Micro-Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Posted January 6, 2021 by Dr Guttler

431

Quality of Life for Patients with Micro-Papillary Thyroid Cancer MPTC.

They only compared immediate surgery vs active surveillance.
347 low risk MPTC. 298 had AS. and 49 had surgery.
Both took QoL questionnaires.
Surgery group had more complaints about voice, psychological issues ,scar problems, and weight gain.
AS group had less anxiety and depression.
They concluded AS is a reasonable alternative to surgery from the point of view of quality of life and psychology.
The use of minimally invasive ablation with thyroid RFA has added a third alternative for patients with MPTC.
The options for patients should include thyroid RFA for those who refuse surgery, but do not like to continue to harbor the small cancer in their neck.
The procedure includes local Lidocaine injection to the skin and thyroid capsule while the patient is awake. Use of a 5 mm hot tip electrode with low watts for a short period of time is needed to ablate. A follow up cutting needle biopsy is down to be sure there are no residual cancer cells.
Image of a micropapillary thyroid cancer before Thyroid RF ablation.
The positive effects from this alternative is no scar, minimal symptoms, and peace of mind the cancer is ablated.
If you have a small papillary thyroid cancer and they want to operate or send you for long term Active Surveillance, you should consider getting an opinion on the use of thyroid RFA for your micro-papillary cancer.
Call Alicia at 310-393-8860 or secure email at thyroid.manager@thyroid.com for details about thyroid RFA for you.
DR.G.