About the Exablate Treatment

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What is The Exablate Treatment?

The Exablate treatment is a non-invasive procedure that helps relieve pain caused by bone metastases for patients who have failed, who are not eligible for or who refuse radiation therapy. The Exablate treatment uses two proven technologies: High intensity focused ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Ultrasound is energy that passes through skin, muscle and fat without harm. At the point where the ultrasound beams converge, heat is generated. This heat ablates, or destroys, the nerves at the outermost layer of the affected bone.  These nerves are responsible for conducting the sensation of pain from the metastases to the brain, therefore ablating them stops the sensation of pain.

Pain relief is usually felt within a few days enabling patients to return to normal activity. Pain relief has proven to be sustainable for at least 3 months.1

*Be sure to discuss the Exablate treatment advantages and risks with your physician.

The Exablate treatment is performed with the patient lying in an MRI scanner. The MRI scanner is the eyes of the treatment, giving the physician a 3-dimensional view inside the patient’s body and specifically the treatment area. MRI enables clear identification of the bone metastasis and also confirms heating at the target during the procedure.

Exablate is FDA approved and has CE mark for pain palliation of bone metastases.

Additional in-depth information about focused ultrasound treatment for pain palliation of bone metastases is available on the INSIGHTEC website.

Be sure to discuss the Exablate treatment advantages and risks with your physician.

  
Exablate Treatment Advantages:

Patients reported improvement in pain score within a few days.

Clinical studies show durability similar to radiation.  Patients reported that results were maintained at 3 months. 1

A single visit to the hospital reduces the burden on you and your caregivers.

Ultrasound waves are used instead of radiation so there is no radiation toxicity.

If you are receiving chemotherapy, you can be treated with Exablate without the need to postpone the chemotherapy.

Since the treatment is non-invasive, it can be performed as an outpatient procedure. You can expect to resume normal activities within days.

Clinical studies have shown that patients experience a significant improvement in their quality of life, which was maintained at 3 months after treatment.

  
Exablate - Possible Risks and Side Effects:

Can cause a slight skin burn,  pain and discomfort which lasts only for minutes and can be managed with pain medication.

  • Occasionally, after the treatment, patients may experience pain which usually resolves within a few days
  • An allergy to the MRI contrast agent or the pain medication
  • Dizziness, nausea, and/or fever
  • Neuropathy
  • Blood in urine or kidney/bladder infection due to urinary catheter
  • A slight chance of damaging surrounding tissue
  • Blood clot or DVT after the procedure, which, if not treated quickly, may cause long term complications such as muscle, heart, brain or lung damage
  • There may be other specific risks that your doctor will discuss with you
1. Fast Pain Relief

Patients reported improvement in pain score within a few days.

2. Durable Results

Clinical studies show durability similar to radiation.  Patients reported that results were maintained at 3 months. 1

3. Single Session Treatment

A single visit to the hospital reduces the burden on you and your caregivers.

4. Very Good Safety Profile

Ultrasound waves are used instead of radiation so there is no radiation toxicity.

5. Safe with Chemotherapy

If you are receiving chemotherapy, you can be treated with Exablate without the need to postpone the chemotherapy.

6. Quick Recovery

Since the treatment is non-invasive, it can be performed as an outpatient procedure. You can expect to resume normal activities within days.

7. Improved Quality of Life

Clinical studies have shown that patients experience a significant improvement in their quality of life, which was maintained at 3 months after treatment.

Delivery of Ultrasound Energy

Can cause a slight skin burn,  pain and discomfort which lasts only for minutes and can be managed with pain medication.

Short Term

  • Occasionally, after the treatment, patients may experience pain which usually resolves within a few days
  • An allergy to the MRI contrast agent or the pain medication
  • Dizziness, nausea, and/or fever
  • Neuropathy
  • Blood in urine or kidney/bladder infection due to urinary catheter

Long Term

  • A slight chance of damaging surrounding tissue
  • Blood clot or DVT after the procedure, which, if not treated quickly, may cause long term complications such as muscle, heart, brain or lung damage
  • There may be other specific risks that your doctor will discuss with you

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