Thyroid NodulesNCT05189314
RFA of Benign Thyroid Nodules: Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life Study
An observational study of Thyroid Nodules, run by Columbia University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this observational research is to evaluate and compare clinical outcomes after treatment for symptomatic benign multinodular goiter (MNG) patients. This is a data collection study in which we ask participants to give access to information generated before and after treatment of their condition. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Thyroid Nodules
- What is being tested?
- Thyroidectomy and Radiofrequency Ablation
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 30 Aug 2019to Aug 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult patients (>/=18 years) with benign, non-functional benign thyroid nodules
Who may be able to join
- Adult patients >/=18 years old with benign thyroid nodules
Who cannot join
- cardiac arrhythmia
- pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Vilma Rosario contact
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Columbia University
New York, New York, 10032
Jennifer H Kuo, MD MS, 212-305-6969, jhk2029@cumc.columbia.edu
About this study
Official title: Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life Measures After Surgical Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules
The purpose of this observational research is to evaluate and compare clinical outcomes after treatment for symptomatic benign multinodular goiter (MNG) patients. This is a data collection study in which we ask participants to give access to information generated before and after treatment of their condition.
Read the detailed description
Benign multinodular goiter (MNG) refers to an enlarged thyroid gland with nodules within it, frequently owing to iodine deficiency. It is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide.
Significant growths of nodules can cause symptomatic compressive symptoms such as dysphagia, dyspnea, or vascular compression of the neck vessels. On occasion, these nodules can develop autonomy and secrete excess thyroid hormone (toxic multinodular goiter). Surgical resection has been the preferred treatment option for symptomatic multinodular goiters and addresses both compressive symptoms as well as hyperthyroidism, but is associated with small, but not negligible risk of nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, and may confer a risk of hypothyroidism and dependence on thyroid hormone supplementation.
Thermoablative methods that induce local thermodestruction leading to nodule shrinkage and improvement in local symptoms and hyperthyroidism have recently emerged as a possible alternative treatment approach for MNG. Monopolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is presently the best documented thermoablative technique. Although RFA of thyroid nodules specifically, is still considered investigational in the United States, RFA of thyroid nodules has been used by several centers globally (mainly in South Korea, Italy, China, and Austria) since 2006 with excellent clinical outcomes. In addition, RFA of other solid tumors is a commonly performed procedure in the United states and all RFA devices, including the device that we will use for the clinical care of these patients, are cleared by the FDA (New devices/technology to the market are approved, but devices that have a predicate device/technology that are already on the market only need to be cleared). In response to its increasing popularity, the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology commissioned a Task Force to develop recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid tumors in 2012, and these recommendations were recently revised in 2017 and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recently recommended that ultrasound guided thermal ablation treatments be considered for solid or mixed symptomatic benign thyroid nodules.
- Conditions
- Thyroid Nodules
- Being tested
- Thyroidectomy, Radiofrequency Ablation
- Keywords
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Medical subject headings
- Thyroid Nodule
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ThyroidectomyProcedure or surgery
Surgical Resection of thyroid nodules
Radiofrequency AblationDevice
Radiofrequency Ablation of thyroid nodules
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroidectomy | Patients with benign thyroid nodules who undergo surgical resection Receives: Procedure: Thyroidectomy | |
| RFA | Patients with benign thyroid nodules who undergo radiofrequency ablation Receives: Device: Radiofrequency Ablation |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percent Volume Change of Nodules
Percent Volume Change of Nodules: ((Volume (baseline) - Volume (*m*))/Volume(baseline))*100
Measured: 6 months and 12 months
Change in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Change in serum TSH
Measured: 6 months and 12 months
ThyPRO 39 Survey Score
The Thypro 39 is a survey assessing quality of life in patients with thyroid disease. Scores range from 0-100 with a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jan 2022
- Study start30 Aug 2019
- Primary completionAug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (10)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Thyroid NodulesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Columbia UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Columbia University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Kuo, Columbia University
- Investigators
- Jennifer H Kuo, MD MS, Principal investigator, Columbia University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05189314
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AAAS2141
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Dec 2021
- Last updated
- 29 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Durante C, Costante G, Lucisano G, Bruno R, Meringolo D, Paciaroni A, Puxeddu E, Torlontano M, Tumino S, Attard M, Lamartina L, Nicolucci A, Filetti S. The natural history of benign thyroid nodules. JAMA. 2015 Mar 3;313(9):926-35. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.0956.
PubMed 25734734de Rienzo-Madero B, Sabra JP, Gand E, Donatini G, Kraimps JL. Unilateral benign multinodular versus solitary goiter: Long-term contralateral reoperation rates after lobectomy. Surgery. 2019 Jan;165(1):75-79. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.04.074. Epub 2018 Nov 8.
PubMed 30415868Kim YS, Rhim H, Tae K, Park DW, Kim ST. Radiofrequency ablation of benign cold thyroid nodules: initial clinical experience. Thyroid. 2006 Apr;16(4):361-7. doi: 10.1089/thy.2006.16.361.
PubMed 16646682Na DG, Lee JH, Jung SL, Kim JH, Sung JY, Shin JH, Kim EK, Lee JH, Kim DW, Park JS, Kim KS, Baek SM, Lee Y, Chong S, Sim JS, Huh JY, Bae JI, Kim KT, Han SY, Bae MY, Kim YS, Baek JH; Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR); Korean Society of Radiology. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers: consensus statement and recommendations. Korean J Radiol. 2012 Mar-Apr;13(2):117-25. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.117. Epub 2012 Mar 7.
PubMed 22438678Kim JH, Baek JH, Lim HK, Ahn HS, Baek SM, Choi YJ, Choi YJ, Chung SR, Ha EJ, Hahn SY, Jung SL, Kim DS, Kim SJ, Kim YK, Lee CY, Lee JH, Lee KH, Lee YH, Park JS, Park H, Shin JH, Suh CH, Sung JY, Sim JS, Youn I, Choi M, Na DG; Guideline Committee for the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) and Korean Society of Radiology. 2017 Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Guideline: Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology. Korean J Radiol. 2018 Jul-Aug;19(4):632-655. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2018.19.4.632. Epub 2018 Jun 14.
PubMed 29962870Gharib H, Papini E, Garber JR, Duick DS, Harrell RM, Hegedus L, Paschke R, Valcavi R, Vitti P; AACE/ACE/AME Task Force on Thyroid Nodules. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY, AND ASSOCIAZIONE MEDICI ENDOCRINOLOGI MEDICAL GUIDELINES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID NODULES--2016 UPDATE. Endocr Pract. 2016 May;22(5):622-39. doi: 10.4158/EP161208.GL.
PubMed 27167915Jeong WK, Baek JH, Rhim H, Kim YS, Kwak MS, Jeong HJ, Lee D. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: safety and imaging follow-up in 236 patients. Eur Radiol. 2008 Jun;18(6):1244-50. doi: 10.1007/s00330-008-0880-6. Epub 2008 Feb 20.
PubMed 18286289Baek JH, Kim YS, Lee D, Huh JY, Lee JH. Benign predominantly solid thyroid nodules: prospective study of efficacy of sonographically guided radiofrequency ablation versus control condition. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 Apr;194(4):1137-42. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.3372.
PubMed 20308523Watt T, Barbesino G, Bjorner JB, Bonnema SJ, Bukvic B, Drummond R, Groenvold M, Hegedus L, Kantzer V, Lasch KE, Marcocci C, Mishra A, Netea-Maier R, Ekker M, Paunovic I, Quinn TJ, Rasmussen AK, Russell A, Sabaretnam M, Smit J, Torring O, Zivaljevic V, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Cross-cultural validity of the thyroid-specific quality-of-life patient-reported outcome measure, ThyPRO. Qual Life Res. 2015 Mar;24(3):769-80. doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0798-1. Epub 2014 Sep 7.
PubMed 25194574Dobnig H, Amrein K. Monopolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Austrian Single-Center Study. Thyroid. 2018 Apr;28(4):472-480. doi: 10.1089/thy.2017.0547. Epub 2018 Mar 20.
PubMed 29490593
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life Measures After Surgical Resection and Radiofrequency Ablation of Benign Thyroid Nodules
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05189314
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AAAS2141
- Conditions
- Thyroid Nodules
- Keywords
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Columbia UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Aug 2019 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this observational research is to evaluate and compare clinical outcomes after treatment for symptomatic benign multinodular goiter (MNG) patients. This is a data collection study in which we ask participants to give access to information generated before and after treatment of their condition.
Detailed description
Benign multinodular goiter (MNG) refers to an enlarged thyroid gland with nodules within it, frequently owing to iodine deficiency. It is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide.
Significant growths of nodules can cause symptomatic compressive symptoms such as dysphagia, dyspnea, or vascular compression of the neck vessels. On occasion, these nodules can develop autonomy and secrete excess thyroid hormone (toxic multinodular goiter). Surgical resection has been the preferred treatment option for symptomatic multinodular goiters and addresses both compressive symptoms as well as hyperthyroidism, but is associated with small, but not negligible risk of nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, and may confer a risk of hypothyroidism and dependence on thyroid hormone supplementation.
Thermoablative methods that induce local thermodestruction leading to nodule shrinkage and improvement in local symptoms and hyperthyroidism have recently emerged as a possible alternative treatment approach for MNG. Monopolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is presently the best documented thermoablative technique. Although RFA of thyroid nodules specifically, is still considered investigational in the United States, RFA of thyroid nodules has been used by several centers globally (mainly in South Korea, Italy, China, and Austria) since 2006 with excellent clinical outcomes. In addition, RFA of other solid tumors is a commonly performed procedure in the United states and all RFA devices, including the device that we will use for the clinical care of these patients, are cleared by the FDA (New devices/technology to the market are approved, but devices that have a predicate device/technology that are already on the market only need to be cleared). In response to its increasing popularity, the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology commissioned a Task Force to develop recommendations for the optimal use of radiofrequency ablation for thyroid tumors in 2012, and these recommendations were recently revised in 2017 and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recently recommended that ultrasound guided thermal ablation treatments be considered for solid or mixed symptomatic benign thyroid nodules.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroidectomy | – | Procedure: ThyroidectomyPatients with benign thyroid nodules who undergo surgical resection |
| RFA | – | Device: Radiofrequency AblationPatients with benign thyroid nodules who undergo radiofrequency ablation |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult patients (>/=18 years) with benign, non-functional benign thyroid nodules
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Adult patients >/=18 years old with benign thyroid nodules
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- cardiac arrhythmia
- pregnancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ThyroidectomySurgical Resection of thyroid nodules | Procedure or surgery | Thyroidectomy |
| Radiofrequency AblationRadiofrequency Ablation of thyroid nodules | Device | RFA |
Primary outcome
Percent Volume Change of Nodules
Time frame: 6 months and 12 months
Percent Volume Change of Nodules: ((Volume (baseline) - Volume (*m*))/Volume(baseline))*100
Change in Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Time frame: 6 months and 12 months
Change in serum TSH
ThyPRO 39 Survey Score
Time frame: 12 months
The Thypro 39 is a survey assessing quality of life in patients with thyroid disease. Scores range from 0-100 with a higher score indicating a worse outcome.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 29 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 25734734Durante C, Costante G, Lucisano G, Bruno R, Meringolo D, Paciaroni A, Puxeddu E, Torlontano M, Tumino S, Attard M, Lamartina L, Nicolucci A, Filetti S. The natural history of benign thyroid nodules. JAMA. 2015 Mar 3;313(9):926-35. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.0956.
- Background: PubMed 30415868de Rienzo-Madero B, Sabra JP, Gand E, Donatini G, Kraimps JL. Unilateral benign multinodular versus solitary goiter: Long-term contralateral reoperation rates after lobectomy. Surgery. 2019 Jan;165(1):75-79. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.04.074. Epub 2018 Nov 8.
- Background: PubMed 16646682Kim YS, Rhim H, Tae K, Park DW, Kim ST. Radiofrequency ablation of benign cold thyroid nodules: initial clinical experience. Thyroid. 2006 Apr;16(4):361-7. doi: 10.1089/thy.2006.16.361.
- Background: PubMed 22438678Na DG, Lee JH, Jung SL, Kim JH, Sung JY, Shin JH, Kim EK, Lee JH, Kim DW, Park JS, Kim KS, Baek SM, Lee Y, Chong S, Sim JS, Huh JY, Bae JI, Kim KT, Han SY, Bae MY, Kim YS, Baek JH; Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR); Korean Society of Radiology. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules and recurrent thyroid cancers: consensus statement and recommendations. Korean J Radiol. 2012 Mar-Apr;13(2):117-25. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2012.13.2.117. Epub 2012 Mar 7.
- Background: PubMed 29962870Kim JH, Baek JH, Lim HK, Ahn HS, Baek SM, Choi YJ, Choi YJ, Chung SR, Ha EJ, Hahn SY, Jung SL, Kim DS, Kim SJ, Kim YK, Lee CY, Lee JH, Lee KH, Lee YH, Park JS, Park H, Shin JH, Suh CH, Sung JY, Sim JS, Youn I, Choi M, Na DG; Guideline Committee for the Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) and Korean Society of Radiology. 2017 Thyroid Radiofrequency Ablation Guideline: Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology. Korean J Radiol. 2018 Jul-Aug;19(4):632-655. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2018.19.4.632. Epub 2018 Jun 14.
- Background: PubMed 27167915Gharib H, Papini E, Garber JR, Duick DS, Harrell RM, Hegedus L, Paschke R, Valcavi R, Vitti P; AACE/ACE/AME Task Force on Thyroid Nodules. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS, AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY, AND ASSOCIAZIONE MEDICI ENDOCRINOLOGI MEDICAL GUIDELINES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID NODULES--2016 UPDATE. Endocr Pract. 2016 May;22(5):622-39. doi: 10.4158/EP161208.GL.
- Background: PubMed 18286289Jeong WK, Baek JH, Rhim H, Kim YS, Kwak MS, Jeong HJ, Lee D. Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: safety and imaging follow-up in 236 patients. Eur Radiol. 2008 Jun;18(6):1244-50. doi: 10.1007/s00330-008-0880-6. Epub 2008 Feb 20.
- Background: PubMed 20308523Baek JH, Kim YS, Lee D, Huh JY, Lee JH. Benign predominantly solid thyroid nodules: prospective study of efficacy of sonographically guided radiofrequency ablation versus control condition. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010 Apr;194(4):1137-42. doi: 10.2214/AJR.09.3372.
- Background: PubMed 25194574Watt T, Barbesino G, Bjorner JB, Bonnema SJ, Bukvic B, Drummond R, Groenvold M, Hegedus L, Kantzer V, Lasch KE, Marcocci C, Mishra A, Netea-Maier R, Ekker M, Paunovic I, Quinn TJ, Rasmussen AK, Russell A, Sabaretnam M, Smit J, Torring O, Zivaljevic V, Feldt-Rasmussen U. Cross-cultural validity of the thyroid-specific quality-of-life patient-reported outcome measure, ThyPRO. Qual Life Res. 2015 Mar;24(3):769-80. doi: 10.1007/s11136-014-0798-1. Epub 2014 Sep 7.
- Background: PubMed 29490593Dobnig H, Amrein K. Monopolar Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: A Prospective Austrian Single-Center Study. Thyroid. 2018 Apr;28(4):472-480. doi: 10.1089/thy.2017.0547. Epub 2018 Mar 20.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Thyroid Nodule
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Vilma Rosario contact
Jennifer H Kuo, MD MS principal investigator
Columbia University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Thyroid Nodules, run by Columbia University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jennifer H Kuo, MD MS (212-305-6969, jhk2029@cumc.columbia.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percent Volume Change of Nodules (time frame: 6 months and 12 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05189314, which also lists 10 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 May 2026.