RFA / Radio Frequency Ablation for Thyroid
I have been diagnosed with thyroid nodule. Should I be worried?
Thyroid nodules are extremely common, and the majority of adults after the age of 50 may have one or more small thyroid nodules. Most of the nodules (over 90%) are benign. Testing is done to detect those nodules which are not benign.
If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid nodule your doctor may refer you for further testing. A simple blood test can determine the function of the thyroid gland, and the nature of the nodule can be tested by a biopsy using a very fine needle to extract cells from the nodule under ultrasound guidance.
We, at ENT Specialists, have a vast experience of performing these ultrasound guided procedures in the office, with more than 4000 nodules tested in the last 10 years. Biopsy may be able to be done on the day you come for your initial consultation. Biopsy is done under local anesthesia and no special preparation is required and there is no recovery period.
Results from the biopsy take 1 to 3 weeks depending on the extent of testing required, as about 25% of the nodules require special molecular testing to get a more definitive answer.
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Small nodules that turn out to be benign are simply followed by an annual follow-up ultrasound.
However, benign nodules may require intervention in following scenarios:
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Nodules over 4 cm in size
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Large nodules causing pressure symptoms
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Visible large nodules that are cosmetically unacceptable
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Hyperfunctioning nodules causing increased thyroid hormone production
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Nodules showing definite trend for growth
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Nodules showing growth behind the collar bone towards the chest
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Meet a Patient
RFA Patient Story
RFA preserves your healthy thyroid tissue,
helping the thyroid to function normally without
the need for lifetime medication.
What is RFA for Thyroid?
Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a newer non-surgical procedure that offers a safer and minimally invasive alternative to surgery. Although relatively new to USA, this technology was approved by FDA 5 years ago, it has been widely practiced in Europe, UK, South Korea and Brazil. In this technique thermal energy is delivered through electrodes directly into the thyroid nodule. This results in tissue destruction and eventually scarring resulting in shrinkage of the nodule.
RFA offers an alternative non-surgical treatment for benign nodules that are causing pressure symptoms or cosmetic compromise. This procedure may also be used to treat autonomously functioning thyroid nodules as an alternative to surgery or radioactive iodine, and small primary thyroid or recurrent thyroid cancers that are not located near critical structures.
RFA is a safe and relatively quick treatment option with few side effects, and typically does not require the patient to take thyroid replacement medication as a result of the procedure.
RFA preserves your healthy thyroid tissue, helping the thyroid to function normally without the need for lifetime medication.
Meet the Doctor
RFA Meet a Doctor
What is the traditional approach to Thyroid Nodule management?
Traditional management of thyroid nodule is surgical and involves the removal of entire or one half of the thyroid gland. While surgery is the treatment of choice for thyroid cancers, it is often done for benign nodules that are causing pressure symptoms or cosmetic compromise.
Surgical treatment has many drawbacks and potential risks of complications. Surgery typically takes 2-3 hours under general anesthesia in a hospital setting and may require overnight observation in the hospital. Typical recovery time is 1 week.
Surgery is done through an incision in the neck, which may leave a scar. Moreover there is a small risk of complications including bleeding, infection, nerve injury causing hoarseness.
Surgical removal of one half of the thyroid gland may result in thyroid deficiency in 25% to 40% of individuals requiring lifelong replacement treatment with thyroid hormone. When a total thyroid removal is undertaken, in addition to thyroid replacement, there is a small risk of parathyroid gland suppression requiring lifelong calcium replacement as well.
Are there any risks associated with RFA?
As with any medical procedure, there is the potential for complications. However, compared to conventional surgery, complications with RFA are rare, and relatively minor. These may include:
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Bruising or soreness
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Skin burn.
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Hoarseness
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Failure to obtain the desired results requiring additional treatment.
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Possible need for thyroid hormone therapy
Is RFA treatment available to me?
Here at ENT specialists we have a robust program for ultrasound guided interventions of Thyroid nodule. Over the last 10 years we have investigated and treated more than 4,000 thyroid nodules.
We introduced RFA program at ENT Specialists a little over 2 years ago. We are proud to be amongst the first 5 centers in all of New England to offer RFA for our patients.
Please call up to setup an in-person or virtual visit with our RFA specialist, Dr Jagdish Dhingra to determine whether you are a good candidate for RFA treatment.
Other Benefits for Thyroid RFA
Low Complications
A large population study found a total complication rate of 3.3% and a major complication rate of 1.4%.
Volume Reduction
In a major clinical study, nodules shrank More than 70% in 6 months and over 93% in 4 years.
No surgical scars. No general anaesthesia, office procedure lasting 1 hour, No recovery time.
Need for thyroid hormone replacement in less than 5% of benign thyroid nodules treated
Minimally Invasive
Preserve Function
Learn More:
Save Your Thyroid with Jennifer Holkem
(Episode #67) Thyroid RFA in NEW ENGLAND: Dr: Jagdish Dhingra
Save Your Thyroid, a community for patients seeking nonsurgical treatment for thyroid nodules
Learn More:
Are there other Resources Available to Thyroid RFA?
