January 2026
Abstract
Therapeutic magnetic fields are widely used in rehabilitation and physiotherapy for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. However, their use in oncological patients has historically been approached with caution and is often considered contraindicated, despite limited clinical evidence supporting this concern.
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched for studies evaluating therapeutic magnetic fields in oncological populations. Studies were classified according to predefined research questions addressing oncological safety, supportive care during cancer treatment, and management of comorbidities. Study selection, data extraction, and qualitative synthesis were performed.
A total of 3,841 records were identified. Only one randomized controlled trial specifically assessed oncological safety outcomes and found no evidence of disease progression, reduced survival, or impaired treatment response associated with magnetic field exposure. A larger body of heterogeneous evidence evaluated magnetic fields as supportive interventions during oncological treatments, particularly for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, quality of life, and symptom burden. These studies reported improvements in neurotoxicity, patient-reported outcomes, and treatment tolerability, although methodological limitations were common. Evidence regarding pain management and rehabilitation in oncological remission was predominantly observational.
Current evidence does not support the assumption that therapeutic magnetic fields are inherently harmful in oncological patients. While data on oncological safety remain limited, available studies do not indicate adverse oncological outcomes. Magnetic field therapy may represent a feasible supportive intervention for symptom management and rehabilitation in selected oncological populations. However, well-designed prospective trials are required to better define safety profiles, clinical efficacy, and appropriate indications.
Introduction and background
Low-intensity and/or low-frequency magnetic fields have been used for decades in rehabilitation and physiotherapy for the treatment of pain and musculoskeletal disorders.
From a physical standpoint, magnetic fields can be distinguished into static and dynamic fields and classified according to their intensity and frequency [1]. Based on intensity, magnetic fields are categorized as weak (<1 mT), medium-intensity (1 mT-1 T), and high-intensity (>1 T) fields. According to frequency, they can be classified as low-frequency magnetic fields (<30 kHz), radiofrequency fields (30-300 kHz), intermediate-frequency fields (300 kHz-3 MHz), and high-frequency fields (>3 MHz) [1].
Magnetic fields used for therapeutic and rehabilitative purposes generally fall within the low-intensity and low-frequency categories and are associated with non-ionizing radiation [2]. Unlike high-frequency ionizing radiation, which is known for its ability to induce direct DNA damage and for its established oncogenic role, low-frequency magnetic fields act predominantly through non-thermal mechanisms, modulating biochemical reactions and cellular processes without inducing ionization [2]. This distinction is particularly relevant in the oncological context, as it allows a conceptual separation between therapeutic exposure to magnetic fields and forms of radiation for which there is consolidated evidence of oncogenic risk.
The application of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) represents a non-invasive modality that, in several clinical conditions such as osteoarthritis [3] and chronic low back pain [4–6], has been shown to reduce pain intensity and improve function compared with sham controls or standard treatments [7].
Studies on hip and knee osteoarthritis report that the application of PEMFs is associated with reductions in pain and joint stiffness, as well as improvements in physical function, with potential benefits for patients’ quality of life [8]. In addition, evidence from randomized clinical trials indicates that the addition of PEMFs to conventional physiotherapy protocols may lead to a decrease in pain intensity and a reduction in the use of analgesic medications in musculoskeletal pain disorders [9]. Although heterogeneity persists in treatment protocols and applied parameters, these findings support the notion that the use of low-frequency magnetic fields is clinically widespread and potentially effective in modulating pain and improving function in musculoskeletal disorders [4].
It is also important to consider that many oncological patients present with musculoskeletal comorbidities commonly observed in the general population, such as low back pain and osteoarthritis, which may significantly contribute to disability and reduced quality of life. As previously reported, in this context, several clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of PEMFs in improving pain and function in patients with low back pain [4–6] and osteoarthritis [7]. Therefore, in the absence of evidence indicating oncological harm, the potential use of such physical therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal comorbidities in oncological patients warrants consideration and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Although the mechanisms of action of magnetic fields are still under investigation, and protocol standardization has not yet been clearly established, available clinical evidence suggests a potential benefit in pain modulation and functional improvement in musculoskeletal disorders. Nevertheless, the methodological quality and heterogeneity of the studies require cautious interpretation.
The intrinsic limitations of conventional oncological therapies, including systemic toxicity [10], the development of pharmacological resistance, and restricted tissue penetration in specific anatomical districts, have stimulated interest in alternative or complementary therapeutic and supportive approaches [11,12]. In this context, several non-invasive physical modalities, such as light, electric fields, ultrasound, and magnetic fields, have received increasing scientific attention. Magnetic fields, in particular, are characterized by a high capacity for tissue penetration and by the absence of ionizing effects [10,13], clearly distinguishing them from ionizing radiation, which represents one of the few well-established oncogenic risk factors. Although exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields was previously classified as “possibly carcinogenic” based on epidemiological studies [14,15], subsequent evaluations have not confirmed evidence of long-term harmful effects [16,17].
In the clinical setting, exploratory studies have also been published evaluating prolonged exposure to low-intensity electromagnetic fields in patients with advanced cancer. In an uncontrolled phase I/II study involving patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, the application of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields modulated at tumor-specific frequencies was well tolerated, with no evidence of significant toxicity or accelerated disease progression, albeit in the absence of a control group [18].
In parallel with the clinical literature, several preclinical [19–21] and translational studies have investigated the interaction between electromagnetic fields and tumor cells, focusing on biological mechanisms such as proliferation, apoptosis, and modulation of signaling pathways. While these studies are useful for understanding biological plausibility and potential theoretical concerns, they remain confined to the experimental setting and do not allow direct inferences regarding clinical safety or efficacy in oncological patients.
Despite the widespread clinical use of therapeutic magnetic fields in rehabilitation and supportive care, their application in oncological patients remains controversial and is often discouraged in clinical practice, particularly in the presence of active or metastatic disease [22]. This cautious approach appears to be largely driven by theoretical concerns and precautionary principles rather than by robust clinical evidence demonstrating oncological harm [15].
While several experimental and preclinical studies have explored the biological interaction between low-frequency magnetic fields and tumor-related processes, clinical data specifically addressing oncological safety outcomes remain scarce and fragmented [23]. To date, no systematic review has specifically focused on evaluating whether therapeutic magnetic field exposure in oncological patients is associated with adverse oncological outcomes, such as disease progression, recurrence, or reduced survival.
Accordingly, the present systematic review was designed to address this gap by critically appraising the available clinical evidence on the oncological safety of therapeutic magnetic fields, while also exploring their potential role as supportive interventions and in the management of comorbidities in oncological patients.
In light of these considerations, a systematic evaluation of the available literature is warranted. The aim of this systematic review is threefold: (1) to analyze whether therapeutic exposure to low-intensity and/or low-frequency magnetic fields in oncological patients is associated with adverse oncological outcomes, such as disease progression, recurrence, or reduced survival; (2) to evaluate the potential role of magnetic fields as a supportive or adjunctive intervention, in association with conventional oncological therapies, in improving disease- or treatment-related symptoms without a direct antineoplastic intent; and (3) to explore the effectiveness of magnetic fields in the management of comorbidities in oncological patients, such as osteoarthritis and neuropathies, with the aim of improving quality of life.
Continue Reading: FULL ARTICLE
Colonna S, Casacci F. Therapeutic Magnetic Fields in Oncology: A Systematic Review of Safety and Supportive Clinical Use. Cureus. 2026 Jan 21;18(1):e101970. doi: 10.7759/cureus.101970. PMID: 41728579; PMCID: PMC12921648.
