Comparative efficacy and safety of thermal ablation versus surgery in thyroid cancer: umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational cohort studies

TA offers short-term benefits such as fewer complications, shorter procedures, and lower hospital burden compared with surgery in low-risk PTMC. Yet, due to the predominance of observational data, limited follow-up, and significant heterogeneity, the current evidence remains insufficient to determine its long-term oncologic safety. TA should therefore be viewed as a selective treatment option for carefully chosen low-risk patients, pending confirmation from large, randomized studies with standardized endpoints and extended follow-up.