Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40397320›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuro-oncology2025

Radiosurgery for central nervous system ependymomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Amirhossein Zare, Amirhessam Zare, Bardia Hajikarimloo, Barbod Mohammadi, Jason P Sheehan, Arad Iranmehr

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
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. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Amirhossein ZareDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Amirhessam ZareDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Bardia HajikarimlooDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Barbod MohammadiDepartment of Neurosurgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Jason P SheehanDepartment of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
Arad IranmehrNeurosurgery Department, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. arad.iranmehr@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEpendymomas, rare malignant central nervous system (CNS) lesions (2-6% of primary CNS tumors), are typically treated with maximal safe resection followed by fractionated radiation therapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as an alternative, particularly in recurrent or residual cases. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of SRS for CNS ependymomas, while also identifying key prognostic factors.

methodA systematic search was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of SRS in WHO Grade 2/3 CNS ependymoma patients. Random-effect meta-analysis was employed.

resultsFourteen studies with 298 patients and 496 lesions were included. Our meta-analysis demonstrated an overall local tumor control (LTC) rate of 72% (95% CI: 65-79%). LTC rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 83% (95% CI: 76-88%), 72% (95% CI: 64-78%), and 69% (95% CI: 61-76%), respectively. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were estimated at 67% (95% CI: 50-80%), 56% (95% CI: 48-64%), and 51% (95% CI: 39-63%), respectively. Additionally, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 58% (95% CI: 48-67%). The incidence of adverse radiation events (ARE) was 20% (95% CI: 12-31%). Meta-regression showed older age correlated with improved tumor control (P = 0.02) and lower ARE (P = 0.06) and radionecrosis rates (P < 0.01), while larger tumor volumes (P = 0.03) and anaplastic histology (P = 0.01) were associated with poorer PFS.

conclusionsSRS is a reasonably valuable therapeutic option in the multimodal management of WHO Grade 2/3 CNS ependymomas, especially for individuals with inoperable, recurrent, or residual lesions. Key patient and tumor characteristics have been analyzed to determine factors potentially impacting treatment outcomes.

Indexed as

Central Nervous System NeoplasmsEpendymomaRadiosurgeryHumansCyber knifeEpendymomaGamma knifeLINACStereotactic radiosurgery

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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.