Percutaneous radiofrequency cordotomy to relieve intractable pelvic pain in 10 patients with cervical cancer caused little morbidity, had a low incidence of permanent complications (usually urinary retention and respiratory problems) and could be repeated. High and low cervical percutaneous cordotomy was beneficial in all patients investigated and their pain-free interval lasted from 6 to 29 months. This procedure with destruction of the lateral spino-thalamic tract at C-2 or C-5-C-6 with resultant contralateral loss of superficial pain, temperature, deep and visceral pain below these levels has proven to be of distinct benefit to patients with intractable pelvic pain secondary to cervical cancer.