KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FSRT for craniopharyngiomas patients.
- Results indicated that FSRT is promising for craniopharyngiomas, improving visual function and tumor control. Further research is necessary to clarify this.
Previous research on brain cancer has shown Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT) to control tumors after craniopharyngioma surgery effectively. However, conflicting evidence exists regarding its impact on endocrine and visual functions.
Lucca B. Palavani and the team conducted a study that aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of FSRT for individuals in this population.
Following PRISMA guidelines, the study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eligible studies included those with a sample size of more than 4 patients, examining the effects of FSRT on craniopharyngioma treatment. Outcomes of interest were improved visual acuity or field, new-onset hypopituitarism, treatment effectiveness, and tumor progression. They assessed outcomes using relative risk and 95% confidence intervals.
After identifying 1292 studies, 10 articles met the predetermined criteria and were ultimately included, including 256 patients. The improvement in visual acuity was estimated at 45% (95% CI: 6–83%), while for the visual field, it was 22% (95% CI: 0–51%). Regarding endocrine function, the rate of new-onset hypopituitarism was 5% (95% CI: 0–11%). As for FSRT effectiveness, the combined estimate for complete tumor response was 17% (95% CI: 4–30%), and for tumor progression, it was 7% (95% CI: 1–13%). A 3-year progression-free survival rate (PFS) of 98% (95% CI: 95–100%) was also observed.
The study concluded that while FSRT presents challenges and potential risks, it is a promising treatment avenue for craniopharyngiomas, providing significant advantages for visual function enhancement and tumor management. However, further investigation is warranted to comprehensively grasp its associated risks, benefits, and clinical applicability.
This research did not receive dedicated funding from public, commercial, or nonprofit entities.
Source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11060-024-04621-6
Palavani, L.B., Silva, G.M., Borges, P.G.L.B., et al. “Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in craniopharyngiomas: A systematic review and single arm meta-analysis.” J Neurooncol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-024-04621-6.
