Radiofrequency ablation for benign or indeterminate thyroid nodules and low‑risk papillary thyroid cancer
Official title: Radiofrequency Ablation for Management of Benign/Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules and Low Risk Papillary Thyroid Cancers
Run by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center · NCT07140757 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project sees if radiofrequency ablation shrinks benign or indeterminate thyroid nodules and controls low‑risk papillary thyroid cancer in adults, and how the treatment affects patients' quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | August 18, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2030 |
| Registry record updated | September 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07140757 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (age ≥18) scheduled for ultrasound‑guided RFA for biopsy‑proven benign or indeterminate thyroid nodules, low‑risk papillary thyroid carcinoma without metastasis, or small local recurrence who are not surgical candidates or who decline surgery.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with metastatic or higher‑risk thyroid cancer, or those judged unsuitable for RFA by their treating physician, are unlikely to benefit from the approaches tracked in this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is an observational registry that follows adults treated with ultrasound‑guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as part of their clinical care. The primary measure is change in thyroid nodule volume over time after RFA. Secondary data include patient‑reported health‑related quality of life via questionnaires, serial sonographic features of nodules, and rates of adverse events. Participants are adults scheduled for RFA at MD Anderson who are not surgical candidates or who decline surgery, and follow‑up occurs at that center.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could support RFA as a less‑invasive option that reduces nodule size, may avoid surgery for some patients, and provides data on quality‑of‑life outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational and interventional work has shown RFA reliably reduces the volume of benign thyroid nodules and early reports suggest promise for selected low‑risk papillary cancers, though long‑term cancer control data remain limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Eligibility Criteria 1. Participants scheduled to undergo ultrasound-guided RFA for the following conditions: benign thyroid nodules, indeterminate thyroid nodules, low-risk DTC, and recurrent PTC 2. Participant is over 18 years and is either not a surgical candidate or has declined surgery. 3. Capable and willing to provide written informed consent 4. Participant has one of the following diagnoses: * Biopsy-proven benign thyroid nodules causing compressive and/or cosmetic symptoms who are requesting treatment, * Biopsy-proven indeterminate nodules (AUS or follicular neoplasm) * Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) without metastasis * Locally recurrent thyroid cancer (\< 2 cm). Exclusion Criteria 1. Participants meeting any of the following criteria will be excluded: 2. Participants considered unsuitable for RFA by the treating physician
Where it's running
-
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Victoria E Banuchi, MD
- Email: vebanuchi@mdanderson.org
- Phone: 346-217-8668
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Personalized discharge letters for low-risk skin cancer patients
Researchers are testing if tailored discharge letters, with or without visual aids, help low-risk skin cancer patients understand their care and follow-up better after a dermatology visit.
-
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic and left adrenal lesions
This will try EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation to control symptoms and hormone-related problems in adults with small pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (including insulinomas) or certain left adrenal adenomas.
-
Radiofrequency ablation for severe leg vein disease in people 80 and older
This will try radiofrequency ablation in people aged 80 and older with severe chronic venous insufficiency to see if it safely closes the leaking saphenous veins and improves symptoms and quality of life.
-
How radiofrequency ablation affects esophagus stretchiness and mucosal impedance
This study will test whether radiofrequency ablation changes how stretchy the esophagus is and the mucosal impedance in adults treated for dysplastic Barrett's esophagus.
-
Online follow-up for patients with papillary thyroid cancer
This study is testing if online follow-up visits are just as good as in-person check-ups for people who have had surgery for papillary thyroid cancer.
-
Impact of breathing methods on heart procedure success for atrial fibrillation
This study tests whether using different breathing methods during a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation can help improve the success of the treatment.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.