Percutaneous Bone Metastasis Ablation

Percutaneous destruction of a bone metastasis, often combined with cement consolidation, for curative or pain relief purposes.

Interventional Oncology

Percutaneous Bone Metastasis Ablation

Synonyms : bone metastasis thermal ablation, percutaneous bone tumor ablation

Background and indications

Bone metastasis ablation is offered for painful metastases resistant to standard pain treatment, or in selected cases of oligometastatic disease (limited number of metastases) with curative intent.

Benefits

Rapid and lasting pain relief (effective in 80-90% of cases), bone stabilization when cementoplasty is added, and potential local tumor control.

Procedure

Under general anesthesia, one or more needles are placed in the bone metastasis under CT guidance. Destruction is performed by cryoablation, RF or microwave. Cementoplasty (cement injection) may be performed simultaneously to reinforce weakened bone. The procedure lasts 1-2 hours.

Risks

Risks include pathological fracture, nerve injury (particularly in the spine), bleeding or infection. Proximity to neural structures is assessed before the procedure.

Recovery and follow-up

1-3 day hospitalization. Pain relief is often noticeable within days. Follow-up CT at 1-3 months.

Practical information

General anesthesia. Hospital stay: one to two nights.