Meta-analysis of radiofrequency ablation for treating the local recurrence of thyroid cancers

Objectives Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for localized recurrent thyroid cancers. Methods We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of the scientific literature by searching the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library up to November 26, 2015. We assessed the pooled standard mean difference (SMD) of nodule volume, largest diameter and serum thyroglobulin (T-g) level by comparing pre-RFA with post-RFA using fixed or random-effects model. The New-castle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies, risk of bias in the selective populations, comparability of groups and exposure. Results We finally identified nine articles including 189 patients (male: 54 and female: 135) with 255 tumor lesions, who underwent ultrasound (US)-guided RFA beyond the mean 6 months of follow-up. The results showed that tumor volume (SWD: 0.77, 95 % CI: 0.57-0.97, I-2 = 25.9 %, p = 0.231), largest diameter (SWD: 1.56, 95 % CI: 0.94-2.17, I-2 = 82.6 %, p < 0.001) and Tg level (SWD: 0.52, 95 % CI: 0.30-0.73, I-2 = 0 %, p = 0.493) were decreased and no significant publication bias was detectable. Conclusions The pooled data indicated that the prognosis improved for patients with localized recurrent thyroid cancers and RFA is a promising treatment for these patients with infeasible surgery.