Radiofrequency ablation versus stereotactic body radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-regression

Aim: The aim of this meta-regression was to assess the impact of mean/median age, mean/median tumor size, percentage of males in total sample, and total sample size on the comparative effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods: Ten studies reporting on the composite outcome of overall survival and local control were included. Results: A significant relationship was found between age and overall survival at 1 and 2 for both RFA and SBRT. A significant relationship was noted also between age and local control at 1 and 2 years for RFA. Conclusion: Patients treated with SBRT had a wider range of tumor sizes and larger tumor sizes; no relationship was observed between tumor size and overall survival or local control by SBRT.

Automated summary

The aim of this meta-regression was to assess the impact of age, tumor size, percentage of males, and total sample size on the comparative effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Ten studies reporting on overall survival and local control were included. Age showed a significant relationship with overall survival and local control for both RFA and SBRT, while tumor size had no significant relationship with overall survival or local control by SBRT.