INTRODUCTION: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) avoids the complications of general anaesthesia, reduces length of hospitalisation and reduces morbidity from surgery. As such, it is a strong alternative treatment for patients with comorbidities who are not surgical candidates. However, to our knowledge, there have only been 1 systematic review and 3 combined systematic review and meta-analyses on this topic to date. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RFA in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with longer follow-up durations. METHOD: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant studies published from 1990 to 2021; 13 studies with a total of 1366 patients were included. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Sandelowski et al.'s approach1 to "negotiated consensual validation" were used to achieve consensus on the final list of articles to be included. All authors then assessed each study using a rating scheme modified from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. RESULTS: Pooled volume reduction rates (VRRs) from 1 to 48 months after RFA, complete disappearance rates (CDR) and complications were assessed. Pooled mean VRRs were 96.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 91.05-102.13, I2=0%) at 12 months2-6 and 99.31 (95% CI 93.74-104.88, I2=not applicable) at 48 months.2,5 Five studies showed an eventual CDR of 100%.2,4,7-9 No life-threatening complications were recorded. The most common complications included pain, transient voice hoarseness, fever and less commonly, first-degree burn. CONCLUSION RFA may be an effective and safe alternative to treating PTC. Larger clinical trials with longer follow-up are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of RFA in treating PTC.
Humans ; Radiofrequency Ablation/methods* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Postoperative Complications/etiology*

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of robotic surgery via the bilateral axillo-breast approach（BABA） in lateral lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma（PTC）. Methods:Clinicopathological records of 324 PTC patients receiving unilateral neck dissection in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from December 2020 to November 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these patients, 108 underwent robotic surgery via BABA（robotic group）, while the remaining patients underwent conventional open surgery（open group）. The extent of lateral neck lymph node dissection included level Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ. The differences in surgical indexes, postoperative complication rates and cosmetic outcomes of incisions were compared between two groups. Results:All study subjects completed the operation successfully, and there was no conversion in the robotic group. The average age of patients in the robotic group was lower than that in the open group, and the proportion of female patients was higher in the robotic group compared to the open group（P<0.05）. Patients in the robotic group had a greater number of dissected lymph nodes in level ⅡB and higher cosmetic scores（P<0.05）. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the average dissection time of lateral cervical lymph nodes, the number of dissected lymph nodes and metastatic lymph nodes in level ⅡA, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ, average postoperative drainage volume, average postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication rates（P>0.05）. Conclusion:The application of robotic surgical system via BABA in lateral neck lymph node dissection for PTC is safe and feasible, with superior advantages in level ⅡB dissection and better postoperative cosmetic outcomes.
Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Neck Dissection/methods* ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Male ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Axilla/surgery* ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Breast/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Lymph Nodes/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome

Humans ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Carcinoma/surgery*

Active surveillance, as a first-line treatment strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, has been recommended by guidelines worldwide. However, active surveillance has not been widely accepted by doctors and patients in China. In view of the huge challenges faced by active surveillance, doctors should improve their understanding of the "low risk" of papillary thyroid micropapillary cancer, identify some intermediate or high-risk cases, be familiar with the criteria and methods of diagnosis for disease progression, and timely turn patients with disease progression into more active treatment strategies. By analyzing the long-term cost-effectiveness of active surveillance, it is clear that medical expense is only one cost form of medical activities, and the health cost (thyroid removal and surgical complications) paid by patients due to"over-diagnosis and over-treatment" is the most important. Moreover, the weakening of the patients' social function caused by surgical procedures is a more hidden and far-reaching cost. The formulation of health economic policies (including medical insurance) should promote the adjustment of diagnosis and treatment behavior to the direction which is conducive to the long-term life and treatment of patients, improving the overall health level of society and reducing the overall cost. At the same time, doctors should stimulate the subjective initiative of patients, help them fully understand the impact of various treatment methods on their psychological and physical status, support patients psychologically, and strengthen their confidence in implementing active surveillance. By strengthening multi-disciplinary treatment team and system support, doctors can achieve risk stratification of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma, accurate judgment of disease progress, timely counseling for psychological problems, and long-term adherence to active surveillance. Improving the treatment level of advanced thyroid cancer is the key point of improve the prognosis. It is important to promote the development of active surveillance for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. In the future, it is necessary to carry out multi-center prospective research and accumulate research evidence for promoting the standardization process of active surveillance. Standardized active surveillance will certainly benefit specific papillary thyroid microcarcinoma patients.
Humans ; Thyroidectomy/methods* ; Prospective Studies ; Watchful Waiting/methods* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Disease Progression ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery*

Objective: To compare the efficacies between open surgery and axillary non-inflatable endoscopic surgery in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 343 patients with unilateral PTC treated by traditional open surgery (201 cases) and transaxillary non-inflating endoscopic surgery (142 cases) from May 2019 to December 2021 in the Head and Neck Surgery of Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Among them, 97 were males and 246 were females, aged 20-69 years. 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed on the enrolled patients, and the basic characteristics, perioperative clinical outcomes, postoperative complications, postoperative quality of life (Thyroid Cancer-Specific Quality of Life), aesthetic satisfaction and other aspects of the two groups were compared after successful matching. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 190 patients were enrolled after PSM, with 95 cases in open group and 95 cases in endoscopic group. Intraoperative blood losses for endoscopic and open groups were [20 (20) ml vs. 20 (10) ml, M (IQR), Z=-2.22], postoperative drainage volumes [170 (70)ml vs. 101 (55)ml, Z=-7.91], operative time [135 (35)min vs. 95 (35)min, Z=-7.34], hospitalization cost [(28 188.7±2 765.1)yuan vs. (25 643.5±2 610.7)yuan, x¯±s, t=0.73], postoperative hospitalization time [(3.1±0.9)days vs. (2.6±0.9)days, t=-3.24], and drainage tube placement time [(2.5±0.8) days vs. (2.0±1.0)days, t=-4.16], with statistically significant differrences (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in surgical complications (P>0.05). There were significant diffferences between two groups in the postoperative quality of life scores in neuromuscular, psychological, scar and cold sensation (all P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in other quality of life scores (all P>0.05). In terms of aesthetic satisfaction 6 months after surgery, the endoscopic group was better than the open group, with statistically significant difference (χ²=41.47, P<0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic thyroidectomy by a gasless unilateral axillary approach is a safe and reliable surgical method, which has remarkable cosmetic effect and can improve the postoperative quality of life of patients compared with the traditional thyroidectomy.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Endoscopy ; Thyroidectomy/methods*

Objective To investigate the effect of calcification on the ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation(RFA)of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative and follow-up data of 164 patients(182 nodules)with PTC treated by percutaneous ultrasound-guided RFA in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1,2018 to December 31,2021.The tumor status 12 months after RFA was taken as the endpoint event.The univariate Logistic regression analysis was employed to predict the influencing factors of incomplete ablation.The factors were then included in the multivariate Logistic regression analysis for prediction of the independent risk factors of incomplete ablation.Results The maximum nodule diameter(OR=1.16,95%CI=1.04-1.29,P=0.009)and calcification ratio >2/3(OR=19.27,95%CI=4.02-92.28,P<0.001)were the factors influencing the disappearance of lesion 12 months after RFA.Conclusions PTC with calcification can be treated with ultrasound-guided RFA.In the case of calcification ratio ≤ 2/3,this therapy demonstrates the effect equivalent to that of no calcification.
Humans ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiofrequency Ablation/methods* ; Calcinosis ; Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary

Objective:To investigate the relationship between parathyroid hormone（PTH） level and permanent hypoparathyroidism（PHPP） on the first day after radical papillary thyroidectomy, and its predictive value. Methods:A total of 80 patients with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroid resection and central lymph node dissection were collected and analyzed from January 2021 to January 2022. According to whether PHPP occurred after surgery, the patients were divided into hypoparathyroidism group and normal parathyroid function group, and univariate and binary logistics regression were used to analyze the correlation between PTH and serum calcium levels and PHPP on the first day after surgery in two groups. The dynamic changes of PTH at different time points after operation were analyzed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic was used to evaluate the predictive power of PTH on the development of PHPP after surgery. Results:Among the 80 patients with papillary thyroid cancer, 10 cases developed PHPP, with an incidence rate of 12.5%. Binary logistics regression analysis showed that PTH on the first postoperative day（OR=14.534, 95%CI: 2.377-88.858, P=0.004） was an independent predictive risk factor for postoperative PHPP. Taking PTH=8.75 ng/L on the first postoperative day as the cut-off value, the AUC of the area under the curve was 0.874（95%CI: 0.790-0.958, P<0.001）, the sensitivity was 71.4%, the specificity was 100%, and the Yoden index was 0.714. Conclusion:PTH level on the first day after total thyroid papillary carcinoma surgery is closely related to PHPP, and is an independent predictor of PHPP.
Humans ; Calcium ; Hypoparathyroidism/surgery* ; Parathyroid Glands ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Postoperative Complications/surgery* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/complications* ; Thyroidectomy

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of recurrence after surgical resection of differentiated thyroid carcinoma combined with iodine-131 and TSH（Thyroid stimulating hormone） inhibition therapy. Methods:From January 2015 to April 2020, the clinical data of patients with structural recurrence and without recurrence were retrospectively collected after surgical treatment combined with iodine-131 and TSH inhibition therapy in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital. The general conditions of the two groups of patients were analyzed and the measurement data in line with the normal distribution was used for comparison between groups. For measurement data with non-normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for inter-group comparison. The Chi-square test was used for comparison between the counting data groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors associated with relapse. Results:The median follow-up period was 43 months（range 18-81 months） and 100 patients（10.5%） relapsed among the 955 patients. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor multiple, the number of lymph node metastases>5 in the central region of the neck, and the number of lymph node metastases>5 in the lateral region were significantly correlated with post-treatment recurrence（P<0.001, P=0.018, P<0.001, P<0.001）. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size（adjusted odds ratio OR: 1.496, 95%CI: 1.226-1.826, P<0.001）, tumor frequency（adjusted odds ratio OR: 1.927, 95%CI: 1.003-3.701, P=0.049）, the number of lymph node metastases in the central neck region>5（adjusted odds ratio OR: 2.630, 95%CI: 1.509-4.584, P=0.001） and the number of lymph node metastases in the lateral neck region>5（adjusted odds ratio OR: 3.074, 95%CI: 1.649-5.730, P=0.001） was associated with tumor recurrence. Conclusion:The study showed that tumor size, tumor multiple, the number of lymph node metastases in the central region of the neck>5 and the number of lymph node metastases in the side of the neck >5 are independent risk factors for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer after surgical resection combined with iodine-131 and TSH inhibition therapy.
Humans ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery* ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Neck Dissection ; Thyroidectomy/adverse effects* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology* ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Risk Factors ; Adenocarcinoma ; Thyrotropin ; Lymph Nodes/pathology*

This case report has described a case of papillary carcinoma of thyroglossal duct in a young male. This patient was admitted with a mass in the anterior neck for 2 years. Preoperative Bultrasonography, CT and MR showed a subcutaneous cystic mass with irregular calcification shadow in the central region of the neck without obvious enhancement. Initial diagnosis was thyroglossal duct cyst, and was excised by Sistrunk under general anesthesia. The postoperative pathological examination showed thyroglossal duct cyst combined with thyroid papillary carcinoma, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry as thyroglossal duct papillary carcinoma.
Humans ; Male ; Thyroid Neoplasms/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology* ; Thyroglossal Cyst/surgery* ; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary