Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Feyzi Gökosmanoğlu said that radiofrequency and microwave ablation is a revolutionary treatment method in thyroid nodules and goiter.
Radiofrequency ablation treatment method in thyroid nodules and goiter started in 2006 in the world. Microwave ablation method started in 2010. Experts describe these methods as a new, safe and effective, increasingly popular, revolutionary new treatment method that is non-surgical, painless and you can continue your daily life immediately after the procedure. Assoc. Dr. Feyzi Gökosmanoğlu, one of the doctors of Medicana Health Group, gave information about non-surgical and painless treatment methods.
Giving information about ablation, Medicana International Samsun Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Assoc. Dr. Feyzi Gökosmanoğlu said, “Non-surgical treatments in thyroid nodules and goiter; There are cases where microwave and radiofrequency ablation is preferred. Due to thyroid nodules and goiter, ablation is performed on nodules that cause choking sensation, pain, swallowing problems, shortness of breath, cough, hoarseness, foreign body sensation in the throat, thyroid hormone disorder (toxic goiter) and cosmetic problems (swelling and lumps in the neck). It can also be applied to nodules above 2 centimeters with growth potential. In short, it can be performed in patients with toxic (toxic nodules and/or toxic multinodular) and non-toxic goiter. It can be applied in patients who have undergone previous surgery and whose goiter or thyroid nodules recur in postoperative follow-up. It can be applied in low-risk thyroid papillary cancers and also in postoperative recurrent papillary cancer or lymph node involvement. Recent studies have reported that this treatment method can be applied safely and effectively, especially in small-sized papillary thyroid cancers.”
“It offers a comfortable treatment option for patients who are afraid of surgery”
Speaking about the benefits of the treatment method, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feyzi Gökosmanoğlu said, “The satisfaction of patients in the treatment of parathyroid lesions with microwave and radiofrequency ablation is very high. The ablation method has clear advantages. It is a non-surgical treatment method. It offers a comfortable treatment option to patients who are afraid of surgery. It is a painless and comfortable treatment that leaves no scars on the skin, lasts an average of 5-15 minutes, and you can return to your daily life immediately after treatment. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia (skin is numbed). Lifelong medication is not required after ablation. The start and end of ablation is quite fast. Patients return to their homes and daily lives after 1-2 hours. The recovery rate of thyroid nodules, parathyroid lesions and low-risk thyroid cancer after ablation is quite high. There are no stitch marks or scars. Cosmetically (regression of swelling and lumps in the neck), patients are quite satisfied. Risks and complications are much less compared to surgery. It is easy and very comfortable compared to surgery. It can be performed again in case of recurrence. This treatment method does not constitute an obstacle to other treatment methods, including subsequent surgery. The rate of patients who benefit from this treatment and recommend it to others is over 95 percent. It is a treatment that patients are very satisfied with. What happens during and after the ablation procedure Local anesthetics are given under the skin and around the thyroid membrane to prevent pain during the ablation procedure. Then, under ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted into the goiter, thyroid nodule, parathyroid lesion (in short, the diseased area) and the burning process begins. During the burning process, air bubbles will form in your goiter and patients will feel this. You will hear sounds similar to the popping sound of balloons in air bubble wrap. This indicates that the procedure was successful. You can talk to your doctor during the procedure. The procedure takes 5-15 minutes on average. For 2-5 days after the procedure, you may have a tingling sensation in your neck, numbness, swelling, small purple brown bleeding areas. Difficulty swallowing, feeling of tension and pain while eating, coughing, discomfort in the neck can be seen during this period. These will decrease and disappear in a few days. You will be discharged and sent home 4 hours after the procedure. After the procedure (approximately 3 hours), you can eat and take a bath as soon as you are discharged and go home. The next day following the procedure, you can start working if you wish.”
“The risks and complications of ablation are extremely rare and much less than surgery”
Comparing the risks in the procedure and surgery, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gökosmanoğlu said, “Bleeding in the nodule or around the thyroid, hoarseness, hoarseness lasting 2 hours during and after the procedure can be observed in some patients. The reason for this may be the presence of water collection, which we call edema in the nodules due to burning, and the effect of compression and anesthetic substance due to edema in the nodules already close to the vocal cords. Very rarely, this condition may last up to 3 months and even more rarely (less than one percent) it may be permanent. Nausea, high blood pressure, nodule disintegration and pain may occur. The complication rate due to the ablation procedure is below 1 percent.”
“Ablation procedure is a very successful method”
Pointing out that the ablation procedure is a very successful and effective method, Gökosmanoğlu said:
“In the first 3 months after the ablation procedure, the thyroid nodule shrinks by about 35-60 percent in volume and by about 60-90 percent in 6-12 months. It may take years to disappear completely. But as soon as it starts to shrink, the complaints disappear. Cancer does not develop from the burned, ablated area. Because this place gets smaller and smaller, hard tissue, which we call fibrotic tissue, develops and it is not possible for new vascular development, which is necessary for cancer to develop. In the treatment of thyroid nodules, ablation methods, non-surgical treatments performed with a needle accompanied by ultrasound imaging methods are gaining popularity. When microwave ablation is compared with surgical techniques, it has been demonstrated by reputable scientists that microwave ablation shows a successful and promising efficacy in the treatment of thyroid nodules, goiter and parathyroid lesions. Compared to surgery, microwave ablation is reported to have less trauma and far fewer complications. Ablation means a life without medication and surgery. Protect your thyroid to avoid lifelong regrets.”
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