Inconsistent definitions of local control for stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage lung cancer - A systematic review.
Radiother OncolJul 10, 2026 (epub)
Niki Nourmohammadi, Camellia Kashani, Talia Oughourlian et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the definitions and assessments of local control (LC) following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Out of 155 studies, 113 were included, revealing significant variability in LC terminology and criteria. Notably, 39% of studies defined LC as 'local control', while 32% used 'local failure'.
Key findings
- 39% of studies defined local control as 'local control', 32% as 'local failure'.
- 68% of studies assessed progression within the same lobe for local control evaluations.
- 95.7% of articles published after 2021 limited local control evaluations to primary tumor control.
Why it matters
Inconsistent definitions of local control can hinder effective comparisons of treatment outcomes and complicate clinical decision-making. Standardizing these definitions is essential for improving the assessment of SBRT efficacy in early-stage NSCLC.