Special considerations in RCTs in orthopaedic oncology: International collaboration and herding cats
What we plan to discuss
The treatment of rare diseases, such as those managed by orthopaedic oncologists, is challenged by the relatively low volume of cases at most centers. Clinical practice is therefore not guided by evidence, but by described experience of senior surgeons. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society has, over the past few years, made a concerted effort to start bringing surgeons together to study treatment and outcomes in orthopaedic oncology. This requires collaboration not only across centers within one country, but across centers internationally. Within a field in which most surgeons for decades have been writing case series within their individual silos, this movement towards prospective collaboration is a new and exciting development. This session will discuss the studies that have embraced this new paradigm in orthopaedic oncology research.
Insights to gain from this discussion
- Why are orthopaedic oncologists challenged by prospective research?
- What are the barriers to national and international collaboration?
- What is exciting about national and international collaboration?
- What are the next steps for the future in the field?
Keynote
Michelle Ghert, MD, FRCSC
Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University
Opener
Benjamin J. Miller, MD, MS Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Iowa Co-Leader of the Sarcoma Multidisciplinary
Oncology Group