Radiofrequency Ablation in Relieving Pain in Patients With Bones Metastases

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed bone metastases
• Pain refractory to non-opioid analgesic medication and radiotherapy OR
• Patient is considered a poor candidate for opioid analgesics or radiotherapy
• Initial worst pain score within the past 24 hours at least 4 on a scale of 0-10
• Tumors deemed accessible for radiofrequency ablation
• No evidence of impending fracture in weight-bearing bones (more than 50% loss of cortical bone)
• Tumors must be more than 1 cm from critical structures including:
• * Spinal cord, brain, or other critical nerve structures
• * Large abdominal vessel (e.g., aorta or inferior vena cava)
• * Bowel or bladder
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Not specified
• Life expectancy:
• More than 2 months
• Hematopoietic:
• Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3
• Hepatic:
• INR less than 1.5
• Renal:
• Not specified
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Not specified
• Other:
• At least 3 days since prior aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• No concurrent anticoagulants