Impact of postoperative radiation therapy and other perioperative factors on outcome after orthopedic stabilization of impending or pathologic fractures due to metastatic disease.

Abstract

While this study is limited by possible unaccountable selection biases, only postoperative radiation therapy was associated with patients regaining normal use of their extremity (with or without pain) and undergoing fewer reoperations to the same site. The improved overall survival associated with postoperative radiation therapy may represent selection bias.