SynthesisBMC cancer2026
Efficacy and prognostic factors of stereotactic radiosurgery versus whole-brain radiotherapy for brain metastases in small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC cancer, 2026. 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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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.
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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.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy differences between stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in treating brain metastases from small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and to analyze key factors affecting patient prognosis, providing evidence-based support for developing individualized clinical treatment plans.
methodsStrictly following PRISMA guidelines and registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD420251147208), we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for relevant literature from their inception to August 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using R software. The stability of results and publication bias were assessed through sensitivity analysis and funnel plots.
results10 retrospective studies were included, involving 41,240 patients. Compared with WBRT, SRS significantly prolonged overall survival (HR = 0.74). Prognostic factor analysis showed that ECOG score 0–1 (HR = 0.61), female gender (HR = 0.89), receiving chemotherapy (HR = 0.37) or immunotherapy (HR = 0.69) were associated with better survival, while > 4 brain metastases (HR = 1.78), extracranial metastases (HR = 1.46), and age > 65 years (HR = 1.34) were poor prognostic factors. Sensitivity analysis indicated robust results, and funnel plot indicated no significant publishing bias.
conclusionIn patients with SCLC brain metastases, SRS was associated with improved overall survival compared with WBRT, with particularly notable advantages in younger patients with good physical condition, limited intracranial lesions, and well-controlled systemic disease.
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