Where informed patients make confident treatment decisions.

Microwave Ablation Episodes

120
June 9, 2026

Canceling Thyroid Surgery: Chelsie’s Journey with Indeterminate Nodules & Dr. Emad Kandil

Here's the episode summary for Episode 120: For most thyroid patients, an indeterminate biopsy result with a 50% malignancy risk means one thing: surgery. Chelsie Paulson refused to accept that. Chelsie had two solid thyroid nodules — one on each lobe — when her Afirma molecular testing came back with a 50% risk of malignancy and a suspicion for follicular thyroid cancer. Four ENTs told her the same thing: the protocol is clear, remove the thyroid. Two nights before her scheduled thyroidectomy, at 2 a.m., she sent an email to Dr. Emad Kandil at Tulane University. She didn't expect much. Instead, Dr. Kandil called her personally the next morning and told her to cancel her surgery. She got on a plane that day. Chelsie underwent Microwave Ablation on both nodules — combining MWA for the solid tissue with ethanol ablation for the fluid-filled spaces. She paired the procedure with an aggressive integrative health protocol to support her body's healing from the inside out. The result…
98
June 3, 2025

Is Your Thyroid Ultrasound Telling the Whole Story? With Dr. Alireza Falahati

Today, we’re talking about how new 3D ultrasound technology is giving doctors a clearer, more accurate view of the thyroid and helping patients get better answers faster. Joining me is Dr. Alireza Falahati — a Mayo Clinic–trained, board-certified endocrinologist with a specialized focus on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid and parathyroid tumors. He was the first U.S. physician to implement the advanced 3D Ultrasound System by PIUR Imaging.
Oct. 29, 2024

Save Your Thyroid with Microwave Ablation in the Philippines

Denielle shares her experience with treating a thyroid nodule using microwave ablation (MWA). After experiencing severe hair and weight loss, she was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and a thyroid nodule about eight years ago. Weighing 70 kg, she dropped to 45 kg due to the condition. Denielle chose a non-surgical option primarily for aesthetic reasons, as she had previously developed keloids from surgery, and also due to a friend's experience with lifelong medication after a thyroidectomy. She learned about non-surgical treatments through the Save Your Thyroid FB community and decided on microwave ablation, which was the only applicable procedure for her case. The procedure took about 20 minutes, with minimal pain, and she experienced only slight discomfort afterward, quickly resuming her normal activities. Six months post-procedure, the nodule had reduced by 81%, from 6 cm to about 1.6 cm, and she is now euthyroid, no longer needing thyroid medication. Denielle expresses gratitude for…
84
June 4, 2024

(Episode #84) Thyroid RFA, Microwave, and Embolization at Tulane: Dr. Emad Kandil

Today’s guest returns to the podcast for a third time, Dr. Emad Kandil, an endocrine surgeon with a passion for helping patients shrink thyroid nodules and cancers using various nonsurgical, thyroid-sparing techniques. Dr. Kandil is the Chief of General, Endocrine and Oncological Surgery at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans, Louisianna. In today's discussion, we'll cover topics such as his adoption of microwave ablation, thyroid embolization, the benefits of combination therapy, an...