The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is running a clinical trial to investigate whether radiotherapy after surgery can significantly reduce pain in patients with secondary bone cancer.

Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Post Operative Radiotherapy in Surgically Treated Bone Metastases (PORTRAIT) trial will recruit 350 patients across 20 sites in the UK, making it the largest study of its kind focusing on outcomes for those with pathological fractures caused by metastatic bone disease.

Around 70 per cent of people with advanced breast and prostate cancer develop secondary bone cancer, which can lead to pathological fractures that often require surgery.

The PORTRAIT trial will assess whether immediate post-operative radiotherapy can reduce pain more effectively than with no intervention, which could transform care for thousands of patients. It is led by Mr Jonathan Stevenson, orthopaedic oncology consultant and chief investigator, with Professor Richard Welbourn as co-investigator and lead surgeon.

Commenting on the trial, Mr Stevenson, said: “Following surgery for pathological fractures, patients usually receive radiotherapy. Despite its widespread use, there is no high-quality evidence that having radiotherapy after surgery improves pain, quality of life, or reduces the risk of needing another operation. Because radiotherapy has side-effects, as well as requiring additional hospital visits and scans, it is essential to understand if any benefits justify additional harms and costs.

“This is the first time the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital will lead sponsor a clinical trial and w’ere incredibly proud for the UK to be leading on this essential research. Metastatic bone disease is becoming more prevalent and so it’s imperative we have clear guidelines to best support our patients.”