Title:Laser Ablation for Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules – A
Mini-Literature Review
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Author(s): Roberto Negro*
Affiliation:
- Division of Endocrinology, "V. Fazzi" Hospital, Leece, Italy
Keywords:
Thyroid, nodules, laser ablation, cancer, autonomously functioning nodules, goiter.
Abstract:
Background: Thyroid nodules are a common disease in endocrine clinical practice.
They are often benign, asymptomatic, and do not require any treatment. But, in a non-negligible
proportion, they can cause local symptoms of compression or esthetic concerns. In the last two
decades, the advent of laser ablation (LA) has become a valid alternative to surgery for these
nodules. Moreover, LA has also been successfully used to treat small thyroid cancers and neck
recurrence.
Objective: This study aims to review and summarize the published literature regarding LA in
the treatment of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search on PubMed from 2000 to 2023 was carried out.
The search terms included: thyroid, nodules, laser, cancer, lymph node metastasis, and autonomously
functioning nodules. The most relevant investigations in the field were selected.
Results: In the last two decades, a very remarkable number of papers consistently demonstrated
that LA is able to durably shrink benign nodules on average by about 50%; better results are
obtained in spongiform nodules with a volume less than 15 ml; 500 J/ml of tissue should be administered.
LA may be a valid option to treat autonomously functioning nodules and papillary
thyroid cancers especially if they are <10 mm, and with neck recurrence in patients already
submitted to surgery. LA has also been demonstrated to be cost-effective compared to surgical
treatment both in benign and malignant lesions, with similar outcomes.
Conclusion: Evidence demonstrated that LA is a valid alternative to surgery in benign and malignant
thyroid lesions, but also to obtain a successful treatment, a careful selection of the lesion
is mandatory.
