Keywords:
Colon, Gastrointestinal tract, Other, Radiation therapy / Oncology, Cancer
Authors:
N. Hearn1, D. Atwell1, K. Cahill1, J. Elks1, D. Vignarajah1, J. Lagopoulos2, M. Min1; 1Birtinya, QLD/AU, 2Sippy Downs, QLD/AU
DOI:
10.26044/ranzcr2021/R-0076
Methods and materials
A systematic search of Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases for synonyms of ‘rectal cancer’, ‘radiotherapy’ and ‘boost’ was performed. Studies were screened for radiotherapy prescription >54Gy. Prespecified quality assessment adapted from the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklist[7] was performed for meta-analysis inclusion suitability. Pooled estimates of pCR, acute toxicity (grade ≥3) and R0 resection rate were determined with random-effects restricted-maximum likelihood estimation. Heterogeneity was assessed with Higgins I2 and Cochran Q statistic. Subset analysis examined outcomes in modern inverse planning studies. Pooled estimates were calculated and displayed in Forest plots with the inverse-logit transformation. Meta-regression with permutation correction was performed for each outcome against radiation dose, radiotherapy technique, boost technique, chemotherapy intensification and other patient- and treatment-related cofactors.