About half of all Americans will develop at least one thyroid nodule by the age of 60. Although they are common, thyroid nodules – which grow in the thyroid gland at the base of the neck – are almost always non-cancerous.
But according to Jonathan Kessler, M.D., chief of the Division of Interventional Radiology at City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte, some patients may choose to treat thyroid nodules if they start to cause symptoms.
“Thyroid nodules can get large, which can cause cosmetic problems,” says Dr. Kessler. “Enlargement of the nodule can also cause symptoms in a patient’s throat, such as pressure or difficulty swallowing.”
While conventional surgery is used to treat thyroid nodules, a more minimally invasive option is radiofrequency ablation, or RFA. This procedure uses extreme heat to destroy nodules.
This article discusses the basics on radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules, including how this differs from a conventional thyroidectomy surgery, covering topics such as:
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or a thyroid disorder, call us 24/7 at (877) 834-8941.
Why It's Done
In many cases, patients find out they have a thyroid nodule during tests or scans related to another health condition. But most nodules remain small and don’t cause any issues.
“Thyroid nodule treatment is primarily recommended for large, benign nodules,” Dr. Kessler explains. Larger thyroid nodules can lead to a range of health issues, including:
- Problems with swallowing
- Changes to speech or how someone speaks
- Shortness of breath
- A swelling in the neck (called a goiter)
- Changes to how the thyroid gland works, causing hyperthyroidism
In the past, patients with thyroid nodules often underwent a surgical procedure to remove these benign growths. With the development of procedures like radiofrequency ablation, cancer experts can now offer options to remove thyroid nodules without surgery.
RFA for Thyroid Nodules vs. Thyroidectomy
A thyroidectomy is a conventional procedure during which the physician surgically opens the base of the neck and removes all or part of the thyroid gland. Used as a treatment for some thyroid cancers, a thyroidectomy is also sometimes used to treat thyroid nodules.
Experts have found that radiofrequency ablation, or RFA, is a highly effective, minimally invasive alternative to thyroidectomy. During the procedure, doctors use imaging technology to help guide a thin, narrow needle directly to the thyroid nodule. This needle then creates heat using radio waves, destroying or shrinking the nodule.
“RFA is extremely effective in decreasing the size of thyroid nodules,” says Dr. Kessler, who performs thyroid nodule ablations in the Los Angeles area.
An additional benefit is that RFA is an outpatient procedure that only requires local anesthesia and leaves minimal to no scarring.
Dr. Kessler adds that RFA is also less likely to cause long-term thyroid issues.
“RFA potentially preserves more thyroid function,” he explains. “The least you can do during thyroidectomy surgery is remove half the thyroid, but RFA is so targeted that much more of the thyroid gland is left behind.”
Chart: Thyroid Nodule Ablation vs. Thyroidectomy
| RFA for Thyroid Nodules | Total thyroidectomy | |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia used | Local anesthesia | General anesthesia |
| Resulting scar | Minimal to none | Typically 1 to 2 inches |
| Hospital stay | No overnight stay | Usually one to two nights in the hospital |
| Thyroid function preservation | May still have some thyroid function remaining | No thyroid function remaining |
What If Thyroid Nodules Grow Back?
For about 1 in 5 patients, thyroid nodules can grow back even after the patient was treated with radiofrequency ablation. However, RFA is a procedure that can be safely performed more than once. Studies have found that RFA treatment can be repeated over the course of multiple years and still remain highly effective at reducing the size of thyroid nodules or destroying them completely.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or a thyroid disorder, call us 24/7 at (877) 834-8941.