The majority of patients who undergo thyroid RFA can expect a nodule shrinkage of more than 50% with single session treatment. Broadly many studies show that nodule shrinkage anywhere between 50 to 95% is achievable with better results when smaller nodules are treated. Importantly nodule shrinkage is strongly associated with improvements in symptom and cosmetic scores and quality of life and well-being assessments.
While there are no studies directly comparing thyroid RFA and surgery, evidence suggests they have comparable symptom and cosmetic benefits, with RFA having a lower complication rate and superior quality of life impact. Studies with longer term follow-up (up to 3 to 5 years) indicate that improvements following RFA are sustained, although a proportion of patients (especially those with larger nodules and younger patients) will also develop regrowth that could require future retreatment.
