TL;DR: Thyroid RFA offers durable control of benign nodules, with most patients achieving substantial shrinkage after a single session. Multi-year data show sustained volume reduction, low retreatment rates, and quick recovery that support routine outpatient care.
- Durability: ~63% volume reduction at 6 months, >80% by 2 years, ~90% at 5 years, and ~94% at ≥10 years.
- Sessions needed: One session is typical; ~10–15% may need a second for large or complex nodules.
- Regrowth risk: Uncommon (~10–12% by 4–5 years); if it occurs, repeat RFA is effective.
- Recovery/side effects: Mild neck pain, swelling, or bruising usually resolves within 2–5 days; transient hoarseness improves within weeks; serious events are rare.
- Follow-up: Ultrasound at 6 and 12 months, then annually; consider re-ablation if <50% reduction and symptoms persist.
Radiofrequency ablation is increasingly receiving recognition as an effective, nonsurgical treatment for benign thyroid nodules. As clinicians consider adopting thyroid RFA, a key question arises: how long does radiofrequency ablation last? Will a single treatment provide a lasting reduction in nodule size, or will multiple treatments be required over time?
Clinical studies consistently show that thyroid RFA produces durable, long-term nodule shrinkage. Most patients experience significant volume reduction within the first 6 to 12 months, and importantly, these results are largely maintained for years.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the latest clinical evidence on RFA’s durability, average number of treatments, long-term volume reduction, and patient recovery. Continue reading to learn the data you need to craft effective treatment plans for thyroid patients.
How Long Does RFA Last for Thyroid Nodules?
A recent 10-year study in Clinical Thyroidology reported durable, long-term nodule shrinkage. The study found an average nodule volume reduction ratio of 63% at 6 months. Volume was reduced by over 80% within 2 years and by ~90% at 5 years.
Furthermore, the study noted continued stability and even further reduction (~94% volume reduction) at ≥10 years after RFA. Such findings confirm that RFA’s effects last for the long term.
Multiple studies from Asia and Europe have demonstrated sustained shrinkage in the range of 50–80% or greater. This shrinkage remains durable in follow-ups beyond 3 to 5 years. For instance, one five-year study found an average nodule volume reduction of about 75% at 6 months and 92% at 5 years. The subsequent symptom and cosmetic improvements mirrored the volume decrease.
Ultimately, this data suggests RFA for benign thyroid nodules is highly effective. How long does RFA treatment last? Results can last for years, and volume reduction may improve over time.
Furthermore, RFA offers many patients relief from compressive symptoms and cosmetic concerns without the need for immediate surgery.
How Many RFA Treatments Are Typically Needed?
Another practical consideration is how many RFA sessions the average patient needs to achieve these positive results. Most benign thyroid nodules can be managed with a single RFA session. Only a minority of patients will need a follow-up ablation to achieve lasting success.
For example, a multi-center trial reported that technique efficacy (≥50% volume reduction at 1 year) was achieved in ~85% of patients after one RFA session. Only about 12% of RFA-treated patients required a repeat ablation within five years.
Repeat RFA is an infrequent scenario. It is usually reserved for very large nodules or cases where the initial ablation didn’t fully resolve symptoms. When a nodule is large or has a complex multi-nodular structure, clinicians might plan for two sessions from the outset.
The encouraging news is that if a nodule does require another treatment, RFA can be safely repeated. In fact, doing so often yields further volume reduction.
Volume Reduction and Nodule Regrowth Over Time
How long does a radiofrequency ablation last in terms of nodule control? Evidence indicates that when RFA is performed correctly on a benign thyroid nodule, the volume reduction is long-lasting and nodule regrowth is uncommon.
Several long-term studies have now tracked nodule size for 3 to 10 years post-RFA. Across these studies, the treated nodules remained significantly smaller than baseline throughout the follow-up period. Many cases even continued to shrink gradually over time.
With that said, a small percentage of nodules can exhibit partial regrowth in the years following RFA. Typically, “regrowth” means the nodule volume increased by >50% from its smallest size. In a 10-year Korean cohort, 12% of nodules showed regrowth by 4 years. That means 88% stayed controlled without enlargement.
The risk of regrowth appears to be lower after RFA than some other minimally invasive treatments.
Side Effects and Recovery: How Long Do They Last?
One advantage of thyroid RFA is that it is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure with generally mild side effects. Unlike thyroid surgery, RFA does not require a hospital stay or general anesthesia. Patients frequently return to normal activities the next day.
Still, patients often ask how long radiofrequency ablation side effects last. Others wonder how long pain lasts after radiofrequency ablation.
Most patients experience only mild pain or discomfort in the neck for a few days at most. In a U.S. series, about 20% of patients noted minor neck pain, swelling, or bruising after RFA. In all cases, the symptoms completely resolved within 2 to 5 days of the procedure. If patients do have soreness, it can be managed with acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Other minor side effects, such as transient voice changes, cough, or hematoma, are infrequent. A small number of patients have a temporary hoarseness due to irritation of the laryngeal nerve. Nearly all recover normal voice within a few weeks as the inflammation resolves. Any neck swelling or bruising from a small hematoma typically subsides in one to two weeks on its own.
Treatment Planning and Follow-Up
Once a patient undergoes RFA, the post-treatment plan usually involves follow-up ultrasound imaging at set intervals to monitor the nodule’s response. A common schedule is a thyroid ultrasound at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-RFA. Patients can schedule an additional ultrasound annually for a few years following treatment.
It’s important to educate patients that, unlike surgery, RFA does not remove the nodule entirely. Thus, ongoing monitoring is prudent. In most cases, the nodule will either shrink or remain stable, and the patient’s symptoms will be markedly improved.
If by the 6 or 12-month follow-up, the nodule has not shrunk at least 50% and the patient still has symptoms, consider whether a second RFA session is warranted.
Long-Term Data Speaks for Itself
With an ever-growing body of clinical evidence supporting its use, thyroid RFA is becoming an integral tool for clinicians aiming to provide effective, lasting relief for patients with benign nodules. Find more clinical evidence to inform your patient treatment plan from the RFA pioneers at STARmed America.
