How to choose a thyroid ablation technique?

Henry Ford used to tell his customers that they could have any color of a Model-T Ford... as long as it was black

Not too long ago, surgeons and endocrinologists would tell their patients the same thing: you can treat your thyroid any way that you want, as long as you have surgery.

But, like car colors, there are now many ways to manage thyroid nodules and even cancer. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), Nanopulse, Cryoablation... and the list goes on. But which of these is right for you? If any!

First, remember that these technologies are just tools. Just like any tool, they are not one-size-fits-all. You should speak with people who are familiar with all of them before making your decision.

So let's dig in:

RFA has the longest track record. It is the slowest (takes the longest to do the procedure), and has the fewest complications of the thermal ablation techniques. It also tends to have the best reported outcomes as far as size reduction.

MWA is newer. It is usually faster than RFA, which can result in more complications while surgeons are learning how to do it. Long term, the results are very similar to RFA once the learning curve has been mastered.

Nanopulse is the newest. It is NOT a thermal ablation technique, and instead uses electrical pulses. Some say that these pulses may be uncomfortable, but the reports are that there is very little risk of nerve damage when nanopulse is used. Early results suggest that it is safe, but likely will not shrink nodules quite as much as RFA or MWA. It also may require a trip to the operating room for anesthesia in the future.

So which is right for you? Maybe all or maybe none of these! Talk to your doctor. Consider all of them and then decide which one is most likely to help you get the results that you want. And remember: sometimes surgery is the right choice as well. The goal is your health- so consider ALL of the tools instead of jumping to a conclusion too early.

Ciao!

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