Grant: Operating Grant

Bone cancer in the leg is most commonly treated with extensive reconstructive operations with the goal of saving the leg and avoiding amputation. These complex operations are associated with a high risk of infection after surgery. Infections after surgery can be devastating for patients because they frequently require long-term intravenous antibiotics, multiple operations, and often result in eventual amputation. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society has identified the search for the best preventative antibiotic regimen as the primary research priority for this cancer subspecialty. PARITY (Prophylactic Antibiotic Regimens in Tumor Surgery) is the first ever multi-center randomized controlled trial in bone cancer surgery. Surgeons from 40 hospitals across 11 countries and 5 continents will randomize patients to receive either short- or long-duration antibiotic regimens after surgery with the goal of identifying the best regimen to reduce infections. PARITY is a Canadian-led international initiative that is developing a successful network of collaboration and creating a shift to high quality evidence in bone cancer clinical research.