Sound waves vs. bone pain: can ultrasound replace radiation?

NCT ID NCT04307914

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: UMC Utrecht Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether MR-guided focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU), alone or with standard radiotherapy, can better relieve pain from bone metastases than radiotherapy alone. About 216 adults with painful bone lesions will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. The goal is to see if this non-invasive heat treatment can improve pain response and quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a non-invasive, drug-free option to reduce severe bone pain from cancer that has spread, improving quality of life without surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a mid-stage trial, not yet proven in large populations. The ultrasound procedure may not work for all tumor locations, and pain relief may vary. Risks include tissue heating or nerve damage.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone cancer bone neoplasm metastatic carcinoma in the bone metastatic neoplasm neoplasm Neoplasm Metastasis Pain

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BONE CANCER BONE LESION BONE METASTASES BONE NEOPLASM CANCER INDUCED BONE PAIN NEOPLASM METASTASIS PAIN QUALITY OF LIFE TUMOR

Contacts and locations

Locations

CSSP

Roma, Italy
IOR

Bologna, Italy
Isala Klinieken Zwolle

Zwolle, Netherlands
TUCH Turku

Turku, Finland
University Hospital Cologne

Cologne, Germany
University Medical Center Utrecht

Utrecht, Utrecht, 3508GA, Netherlands

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