Normofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy versus CyberKnife-based hypofractionation in skull base meningioma: a German and Italian pooled cohort analysis | Radiation Oncology | Full Text

Normofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy versus CyberKnife-based hypofractionation in skull base meningioma: a German and Italian pooled cohort analysis | Radiation Oncology | Full Text

Radiation Oncology

Normofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy versus CyberKnife-based hypofractionation in skull base meningioma: a German and Italian pooled cohort analysis

• Conti Alfredo, 
• Senger Carolin, 
• Acker Güliz, 
• Kluge Anne, 
• Pontoriero Antonio, 
• Cacciola Alberto, 
• Pergolizzi Stefano, 
• Germanò Antonino, 
• Badakhshi Harun, 
• Kufeld Markus, 
• Meinert Franziska, 
• Nguyen Phuong, 
• Loebel Franziska, 
• Vajkoczy Peter, 
• Budach Volker & 
• Kaul David 

Radiation Oncology volume 14, Article number: 201 (2019) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

This retrospective German and Italian multicenter analysis aimed to compare the role of normofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (nFSRT) to CyberKnife-based hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (CK-hFSRT) for skull base meningiomas.

Methods

Overall, 341 patients across three centers were treated with either nFSRT or CK-hFSRT for skull base meningioma. Treatment planning was based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) following institutional guidelines. Most nFSRT patients received 33 × 1.8 Gy, and most CK-hFSRT patients received 5 × 5 Gy. The median follow-up time was 36 months (range: 1–232 months).

Results

In the CK-hFSRT group, the 1-, 3-, and 10-year local control (LC) rates were 99.4, 96.8, and 80.3%, respectively. In the nFSRT group, the 1-, 3-, and 10-year LC rates were 100, 99, and 79.1%, respectively. There were no significant differences in LC rates between the nFSRT and CK-hFSRT groups (p = 0.56, hazard ratio = 0.76, 95% confidence interval, 0.3–1.9). In the CK-hFSRT group, only one case (0.49%) of severe toxicity (CTCAE 4.0 ≥ 3) was observed. In the nFSRT group, three cases (2.1%) of grade III toxicity were observed.

Conclusion

This analysis of pooled data from three centers showed excellent LC and low side effect rates for patients treated with CK-hFSRT or nFSRT. The efficacy, safety, and convenience of a shortened treatment period provide a compelling case for the use of CK-hFSRT in patients with moderate size skull base meningioma and provided that OAR constraints are met.