Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40770138›Full record

ArticleEuropean radiology2026

Propensity-matched comparison of microwave ablation and surgical resection for preoperative T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma: 5-year follow-up.

Yu-Lin Fei, Zhen-Long Zhao, Ying Wei, Li-Li Peng, Yan Li, Jie Wu, Shi-Liang Cao, Na Yu, Han-Xiao Zhao, Wen-Jia Cai and 1 more

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in European radiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Yu-Lin FeiChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Zhen-Long ZhaoDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Ying WeiDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Li-Li PengDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Yan LiDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Jie WuDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Shi-Liang CaoDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Na YuDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Han-Xiao ZhaoDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Wen-Jia CaiDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
Ming-An YuDepartment of Interventional Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China. yma301@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0797-4564

Funding

Beijing Research Ward Project 2022-YJXBF-04-04National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding 2023-NHLHCRF-YYPP-TS-01National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding 2024-NHLHCRF-PYI-04National Natural Science Foundation of China 62176268
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMicrowave ablation (MWA) has demonstrated short-term efficacy comparable to surgical resection (SR) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but long-term data are limited.

objectiveTo compare the long-term efficacy and safety of MWA versus SR in preoperative T1N0M0 PTC. MATERIALS AND

methodsThis single-center retrospective study included 792 patients with preoperative T1N0M0 PTC treated with MWA or SR from January 2016 to June 2019. Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced baseline characteristics between the MWA and SR groups, while inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used for subgroup analyses between the MWA and total thyroidectomy (TT) or lobectomy (LT) groups. Primary outcomes were disease progression-free survival (DFS), thyroid recurrence-free survival (TRFS), lymph node recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and complication rates. Secondary outcomes were treatment variables, ablation zone volume reduction and disappearance rates.

resultsFollowing PSM, 464 patients (median age 41 years; 343 females) were followed for a median of 69 months. No significant difference in DFS was observed between the MWA and SR groups. LRFS did not significantly differ between the two groups. TRFS was lower in the MWA group than in the SR group and the TT subgroup, but not different from the LT subgroup. The MWA group had fewer complications, with permanent hoarseness only in the SR group. MWA also resulted in shorter incisions, reduced operative and hospitalization times.

conclusionMWA offers comparable long-term efficacy to surgery for preoperative T1N0M0 PTC, with fewer complications. KEY POINTS: Question What are the long-term outcomes of MWA compared to surgery for preoperative T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma? Findings Over a median follow-up of 69 months, the MWA group showed comparable disease-free survival but a lower complication rate than the SR group. Clinical relevance This study provides long-term comparative data on MWA and surgery for preoperative T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinoma, offering valuable insights for clinical decision-making.

Indexed as

Ablation TechniquesMicrowavesRadiofrequency AblationThyroid Cancer, PapillaryThyroidectomyThyroid NeoplasmsAdultFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeoplasm StagingPropensity ScoreRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeAblation techniquesThyroid cancer (papillary)ThyroidectomyThyroid neoplasmsUltrasonography

Identifiers

PMID40770138

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.