Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40063185›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuro-oncology2025

The spectrum of radiation therapy options for craniopharyngioma: a systematic review.

Paul M Harary, Sanjeeth Rajaram, Yusuke S Hori, David J Park, Steven D Chang

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuro-oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Paul M HararyDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Sanjeeth RajaramDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Yusuke S HoriDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
David J ParkDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. djpark@stanford.edu.
Steven D ChangDepartment of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA. sdchang@stanford.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCraniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare, slow-growing brain tumors which originate in the sellar region. CPs may present with symptoms secondary to compression of surrounding structures, particularly the pituitary gland, and surgical removal has traditionally been the mainstay of treatment. However, due to high recurrence rates for CPs, especially when gross total resection is not feasible, radiotherapy has played an increasingly significant role in their management. Here, we review radiation modalities, treatment settings, and future directions in the management of CP. In addition, we outline emerging therapeutic combinations involving targeted therapies.

methodsA systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search of the MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was used for initial identification of articles. Included studies were then grouped into the following treatment modalities: conventional radiotherapy (CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), proton therapy, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) /stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and brachytherapy.

resultsA total of 60 studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 3041 patients, with a median sample size of 33 (range: 10-242) and age ranging from 6 to 55. This review included 8, 15, 3, 12, and 29 reports corresponding to brachytherapy, CRT, IMRT, proton therapy, and FSRT/SRS, respectively. Proton therapy and FSRT had the highest median 5-year progression-free survival (PFS), with rates of 92% and 89%, respectively. IMRT and proton therapy were primarily investigated in pediatric patients (median ages of 8.2 and 10.3 years, respectively). By comparison, FSRT and SRS research has mainly been in adult cohorts.

conclusionsPrecision radiotherapy appears to be associated with high rates of tumor control in CP, suggesting these approaches bear further investigation. Selection of the appropriate radiation modality from those reviewed likely depends on several patient-specific factors. Important considerations include tumor location and volume, patient age, prior treatments for CP, and patient preference.

Indexed as

CraniopharyngiomaPituitary NeoplasmsHumansRadiosurgeryCraniopharyngiomaProton therapyRadiotherapyRecurrenceStereotactic radiosurgeryTargeted therapy

Identifiers

PMID40063185

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.