Systematic review of stereotactic radiotherapy for high-grade gliomas

• Published in: Cancer radiothérapie Vol. 14; no. 8; p. 739
• Main Authors: Clavier, J-B, Voirin, J, Kehrli, P, Noël, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brain Neoplasms - mortality; Brain Neoplasms - surgery; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Trials as Topic; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Glioblastoma - mortality; Glioblastoma - surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - surgery; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Radiation Injuries - epidemiology; Radiation Injuries - etiology; Radiosurgery - adverse effects; Radiosurgery - methods; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Selection Bias; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1769-6658
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canrad.2010.03.021

The purpose of this literature systematic review was the use of stereotactic radiotherapy in glioma. Research was performed in Medline/PubMed and associated references found in published articles without publication date limit. The quality of series is variable and many biases can be evidenced. Only two randomized trials have been published using stereotactic radiotherapy for up-front treatment. There is a lack of evidence of survival advantages to use this treatment at the time of diagnosis or relapse. There is also insufficient evidence regarding the benefice/harms in the use of stereotactic fractionated radiation therapy for patients with glioma. No recommendations can be enounced. Stereotactic irradiation as boost in primary diagnosed glioma or relapsed tumour is not associated with survival improvement. For relapsed patients, treatment needs to be discussed according to the other treatment options.