Percutaneous laser ablation of cervical metastatic lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma: clinical efficacy and anatomical considerations

ABSTRACT

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer; despite its generally indolent course, patients often develop local post-operative recurrences. Re-operation, however, holds a high complication rate, while at the same time, not all patients benefit from radioiodine ablation. This systematic review investigates the application of laser ablation therapy (LAT) for cervical lymph node metastases as an additional treatment modality.

Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Medline electronic database and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible articles.

Results: Five studies were included in the systematic review. All studies included patients with metastatic lymph nodes from papillary thyroid carcinoma, that were unsuitable for further radioiodine or surgical treatment. Patients were treated with two different LAT devices. Regardless of the utilized assessment modalities, all researchers reported significant outcomes on local disease control. No permanent complications were observed.

Conclusions: LAT is relatively safe and effective for the treatment of cervical metastatic lymph nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

KEYWORDS:

• Laser
• ablation
• metastatic
• lymph node
• papillary
• thyroid
• cancer

Article Highlights

• Patient selection criteria

• Pre- and post-treatment assessment

• System and Procedure

• Assessment of response

• Efficacy

• Complications

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose. 

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.