Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with pain from many types of cancer. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets deep in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> Focused ultrasound technology is approved to relieve several types of pain. One device is approved by the FDA for treatment of pain due to bone metastases<\/strong><\/a>. Devices to treat arthritis pain<\/strong><\/a> and back pain<\/strong><\/a> (originating from facet arthritis) are approved in Europe, but not yet in the United States. Focused ultrasound lessens the pain through targeted and precise ablation of nerves that serve the affected area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Advantages<\/strong> For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive and perhaps more effective alternative to existing pain management dosing strategies, with less risk of complications \u2013 such as surgical wound healing or infection \u2013 at a lower cost. Focused ultrasound pain relief does not have the added risks of nausea, respiratory depression, addiction, or other side effects associated with narcotic pain medicines. It can also be repeated, if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial at the University of Virginia<\/a> <\/strong>is treating patients with severe opioid resistant pain from head or neck cancer with focused ultrasound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. Search for a treatment center or clinical trial near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Focused ultrasound treatment for pain associated with cancer is not yet approved by regulatory bodies or covered by medical insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n McKenzie A,\u00a0Dombrower\u00a0R, McKenzie S,\u00a0Theeraphapphong\u00a0N, Abd-Elsayed A.\u00a0Emerging Nonpharmacologic Analgesic Technologies in Anesthesia: Mechanisms, Evidence, and Future Directions for Pharmacologic Alternatives<\/strong><\/a>. Biomedicines. 2026 Jan 20;14(1):225.\u00a0doi: 10.3390\/biomedicines14010225. PMID: 41595760\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lind V, Akram H. Cingulotomy for Cancer Pain<\/strong><\/a>. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2025 Oct 7:1-20. doi: 10.1159\/000548804. PMID: 41056208 <\/p>\n\n\n\n di Biase L, Falato E, Caminiti ML, Pecoraro PM, Narducci F, Di Lazzaro V. Focused Ultrasound (FUS) for Chronic Pain Management: Approved and Potential Applications<\/strong><\/a>. Neurol Res Int. 2021 Jun 29;2021:8438498. doi: 10.1155\/2021\/8438498. eCollection 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sim\u00f5es Corr\u00eaa Galendi J, Yeo SY, Simic D, Gr\u00fcll H, Stock S, M\u00fcller D. A time-driven activity-based costing approach of magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound for cancer-induced bone pain<\/a><\/strong>. Int J Hyperthermia. 2022;39(1):173-180. doi: 10.1080\/02656736.2021.2023768.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patel AA, Zhukosvky M, Sidharthan S, Jotwani R, Rakesh N, Gulati A. Preliminary effects of low-intensity focused ultrasound treatment program for cancer-related neuropathic pain<\/strong><\/a>. Pain Manag. 2021 Jun 9. doi: 10.2217\/pmt-2020-0099.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Filippiadis DK, Tselikas L, Bazzocchi A, Efthymiou E, Kelekis A, Yevich S. Percutaneous Management of Cancer Pain<\/strong><\/a>. Curr Oncol Rep. 2020 Apr 16;22(5):43. doi: 10.1007\/s11912-020-00906-x. Review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marinova M, Huxold HC, Henseler J, M\u00fccke M, Conrad R, Rolke R, Ahmadzadehfar H, Rauch M, Fimmers R, Luechters G, Cuhls H, Radbruch L, Schild HH, Strunk H. Clinical Effectiveness and Potential Survival Benefit of US-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Advanced-Stage Pancreatic Cancer<\/strong><\/a>. Ultraschall Med. 2018 Apr 17. doi: 10.1055\/a-0591-3386.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where the beams converge, focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction of tissue) of the nerves that serve the cancerous region. This enables significant and sustained pain reduction without surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary options for treatment of cancer pain include medications and sometimes invasive procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
See a list of treatment sites ><\/a>
See a list of laboratory research sites ><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFind a Treatment Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Notable Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n