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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 May 24;24(1):637.
doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-12397-1.

Brachytherapy in craniopharyngiomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term follow-up

Li-Yuan Zhang #  1 , Wei Guo #  2 , Han-Ze Du #  1 , Hui Pan  3 , Yun-Chuan Sun  4 , Hui-Juan Zhu  1 , Shuai-Hua Song  1 , Xiao-Yuan Guo  1 , Yue Jiang  1 , Qian-Qian Sun  5
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Brachytherapy in craniopharyngiomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis of long-term follow-up

Li-Yuan Zhang et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Objective: Brachytherapy has been indicated as an alternative option for treating cystic craniopharyngiomas (CPs). The potential benefits of brachytherapy for CPs have not yet been clarified. The purpose of this work was to conduct a meta-analysis to analyze the long-term efficacy and adverse reactions profile of brachytherapy for CPs.

Materials and methods: The relevant databases were searched to collect the clinical trials on brachytherapy in patients with CPs. Included studies were limited to publications in full manuscript form with at least 5-year median follow-up, and adequate reporting of treatment outcomes and adverse reactions data. Stata 12.0 was used for data analysis.

Results: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 6 clinical trials involving 266 patients with CPs were included in this meta-analysis. The minimum average follow-up was 5 years. The results of the meta-analysis showed that 1-year, 2-3 years and 5 years progression free survival rates (PFS) are 75% (95%CI: 66-84%), 62% (95%CI: 52-72%) and 57% (95%CI: 22-92%), respectively. At the last follow-up, less than 16% of patients with visual outcomes worser than baseline in all included studies. While, for endocrine outcomes, less than 32% of patients worser than baseline level.

Conclusion: In general, based on the above results, brachytherapy should be considered as a good choice for the treatment of CP.

Keywords: Brachytherapy; Craniopharyngiomas; Efficacy; Irradiation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of the included trials
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot for overall 1-year progression free survival rates
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot for overall 2–3 years progression free survival rates
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot for overall 5-year progression free survival rates
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Funnel plots evaluating 1-year progression free survival rates
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Sensitivity analysis of 1-year progression free survival rates
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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