Indeterminate Thyroid Nodule Size May Predict RFA Success

In a functionally screened cohort, there was an 85% likelihood of being free of local treatment failure at 3 years, with outcomes favoring nodules smaller than 3 cm.

By
Andrea Surnit
June 17, 2026
4 min

MDSpire News

Objective:

To evaluate the outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Approach:

Key Findings:

Local treatment failure occurred in about 14% of patients, with most related to persistent indeterminate cytology.
Estimated probability of remaining free of local treatment failure at 3 years was 85%.
Complete disappearance of the nodule occurred in 8% of patients.
Nodule volume reduction reached 56% at 3 months, 75% at 1 year, and 91% at 3 years.
Baseline nodule size was the strongest predictor of outcomes.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

Study was retrospective and conducted at a single center.
Cohort was highly selected, including only patients who met functional imaging criteria.
No direct comparison with surgery or active surveillance.

Conclusion:

RFA demonstrated acceptable outcomes with volume reduction and symptom relief, particularly in patients with nodules less than 3 cm, as stated by the study authors.