Traditionally, surgery has been the standard recommendation for treating papillary thyroid cancer. The risk of surgery including permanent hoarseness, permanent hypocalcemia, a mid-cervical scar, and the potential for permanent hypothyroidism may be unacceptable for some patients, especially with low risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. The recent American Thyroid Association guidelines have proposed the option of active surveillance with low risk papillary thyroid cancer less than 210 mm. However, most patients find observation anxiety provoking knowing of having cancer. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small low risk papillary thyroid cancer is a promising therapeutic modality for these patients that reduces the risks associated with surgery and the anxiety of taking a watchful approach. However, this technique has not been validated in the North American population. The investigators aim to describe the investigators' initial experience with RFA of low risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) compared to active surveillance (AS) done by Head and Neck Endocrine surgeons at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. Primary objective: * To evaluate the safety, efficacy and oncological outcomes of the procedure. Secondary objective: * To determine the patient functional outcomes in comparison to the observational control.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
Radiofrequency Ablation using RFMedical device.
Johns Hopkins Hospital
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Percentage change in nodule volume
This will assess the percentage change in nodule volume (cubic millimeters).
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Percentage change in nodule volume
This will assess the percentage change in nodule volume (cubic millimeters).
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Percentage change in nodule volume
This will assess the percentage change in nodule volume (cubic millimeters).
Time frame: Baseline and 24 months
Change in voice related quality of life as assessed by the VHI-10
Change from baseline in Voice Handicap index (VHI-10) score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in voice related quality of life as assessed by the VHI-10
Change from baseline in the VHI-10 score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Change in voice related quality of life as assessed by the VHI-10
Change from baseline in the VHI-10 score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 24 months
Scar cosmesis score
Average score on Scar cosmesis assessment and rating (SCAR) scale. Score ranges from 0-15. Higher score indicates worse scar.
Time frame: 6 months
Scar cosmesis score
Average score on SCAR scale. Score ranges from 0-15. Higher score indicates worse scar.
Time frame: 12 months
Scar cosmesis score
Average score on SCAR scale. Score ranges from 0-15. Higher score indicates worse scar.
Time frame: 24 months
Change in eating assessment score as assessed by the EAT-10
Change from baseline on Eating assessment tool (EAT-10) score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in eating assessment score as assessed by the EAT-10
Change from baseline on EAT-10 score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Change in eating assessment score as assessed by the EAT-10
Change from baseline on EAT-10 score. Score ranges from 0-40. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 24 months
Change in overall quality of life assessed by the PROMIS score
Change from baseline on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)-29 score. Score ranges from 0-100. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 6 months
Change in overall quality of life assessed by the PROMIS score
Change from baseline on PROMIS-29 score. Score ranges from 0-100. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 12 months
Change in overall quality of life assessed by the PROMIS score
Change from baseline on PROMIS-29 score. Score ranges from 0-100. Higher score indicates worse symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline and 24 months
Number of complications
Counts of skin burn, hematoma and vocal cord palsy.
Time frame: 12 months
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