Central neurocytoma (CN) typically presents as an intraventricular mass causing obstructive hydrocephalus. The first line of treatment is surgical resection with adjuvant conventional radiotherapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) was proposed as an alternative therapy for CN because of its lower risk profile. The objective of this systematic analysis is to assess the efficacy of SRS for CN. A systematic analysis for CN treated with SRS was conducted in PubMed. Baseline patient characteristics and outcomes data were extracted. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were used to test for correlations to the primary outcome: local control (LC). The estimated cumulative rate of LC was 92.2% (95% confidence interval: 86.5-95.7%, p<0.001). Mean follow-up time was 62.4 months (range 3-149 months). Heterogeneity and publication bias were insignificant. The univariate linear regression models for both mean tumor volume and mean dose were significantly correlated with improved LC (p<0.001). Our data suggests that SRS may be an effective and safe therapy for CN. However, the rarity of CN still limits the efficacy of a quantitative analysis. Future multi-institutional, randomized trials of CN patients should be considered to further elucidate this therapy.
Keywords: Brain tumors; Gamma Knife radiosurgery; Linear accelerators; Neurocytoma, central; Stereotactic radiosurgery.