Meta-Analysis: The Holy Grail?

Meta-analysis is often regarded as a cornerstone of evidence synthesis, yet its application in interventional oncology (IO) is challenged by heterogeneous study designs, rapidly evolving technologies, and limited availability of randomized controlled trials. This review evaluates the current state of evidence in IO, emphasizing the role of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in guiding clinical decision-making.

To evaluate the level of evidence of the published studies within IO, a PubMed search was conducted with the aim to identify the various article types that have been published over the past decades.

Over the past decades, the number of original articles has remained relatively stable. A notable observation is the significant increase in the number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, particularly when compared to the relatively unchanged volume of original articles.

This trend suggests a growing emphasis on evaluating existing research rather than generating new prospective studies. The grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess evidence quality, the importance of adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and common challenges like risk of bias and publication bias will be discussed within this context.

Ultimately, meta-analysis should not be viewed as a definitive benchmark in IO, but as a methodological tool of which conclusions depend heavily on the quality, consistency, and relevance of the underlying studies.