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