New Ultrasound Therapy Tested In Britain Relieves Bone Pain In Cancer Patients

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- British scientists say they have found a revolutionary new therapy to relieve bone pain for cancer patients.

Moira Rogers said she's found new strength in her battle with breast cancer.

"I'm amazed how I don't really feel anything now. I feel very little pain," she said.

When the former London teacher was diagnosed nearly two years ago, the cancer quickly spread to her bones and caused unbearable pain in her arm.

Specialists at Britain's Institute of Cancer Research used high-intensity focused ultrasound -- also called HIFU -- to blast cells in Rogers' bones that were triggering her pain.

"The heating that comes from here is what relieves the pain. It burns the nerve endings and kills the pain," explained radiographer Sharon Giles.

Rogers was the first of nine patients treated with HIFU in a clinical trial, Gomez reported.

"These patients have usually had all forms of other treatment and nothing is working," said Dr. Nandita DeSouza, with the Institute of Cancer Research.

While doctors targeted bone pain instead of the cancer itself, they hope to eventually use HIFU as a tool to kill prostate and breast cancer cells.

"We can try and burn away their cancers too," said professor Gail ter Haar, with the Institute of Cancer Research.

Rogers said while she doesn't know what the future holds, she's thankful researchers ave her a chance to live life pain free.

Scientists have said once they perfect the ultrasound it will be able to precisely target the tumors without harming nearby healthy tissue.

The cancers that often spread to bones causing pain are prostate, breast, lung, thyroid and kidney cancers.