Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
Treatment of Liver Metastases Using an Internal Target Volume Method for Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Published on: May 8, 2018
Conventionally Fractionated Radiotherapy (CFRT) Versus Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for Locally Advanced
Giampaolo Montesi1, Marcin Miszczyk2,3, Rita Marina Niespolo4
1Radiation Oncology Unit, Radiologic Sciences Department, AST Pesaro Urbino, 61121 Pesaro, Italy.
Background:
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has gained increasing interest in the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), although its effectiveness has not been defined in randomized trials. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare clinical outcomes and treatment-related toxicity between SBRT and CFRT in LAPC.
Methods:
This analysis was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251128943). MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for comparative studies published between January 2015 and July 2025. Five retrospective studies comprising 768 patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), while risk ratios (RRs) were estimated for severe (grade ≥ 3) acute toxicity using random-effects models. Study quality was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool.
Results:
No significant OS or PFS differences were observed between SBRT and CFRT. SBRT was associated with a lower incidence of severe acute toxicity. The overall risk of bias across studies was moderate.
Conclusions:
SBRT appears to achieve survival outcomes comparable to CFRT with a favorable acute toxicity profile in patients with LAPC. Nevertheless, the current evidence is limited by retrospective designs and heterogeneity, highlighting the need for prospective randomized trials to define the role of SBRT in this setting.
