early stage lung cancer patients were performed until March 2016. The date range for the non-SABR patients extended back to January 1995, but the first 3D-CRT SABR papers assessed were found in 2003. Results of these searches were filtered in accordance to a set of eligibility criteria and analysed in accordance with the PRISMA Guidelines. Results: The systematic search yielded a total of 184 SABR and 360 non-SABR articles, which were filtered down to 75 SABR and 23 non-SABR articles. SABR patients were older than non-SABR patients with 35/75 SABR papers and 0/23 non-SABR papers recording a median age >75 years. Meta-analysis did not demonstrate a significant difference in pneumonitis rates between patients receiving SABR [11.4% (95% CI of 9.7 to 13.3)] and non-SABR treatment [14.4% (95% CI of 10.6 to 18.8)].
Conclusion:Although meta-analysis did not confirm that SABR had lower rates of pneumonitis, it appears that SABR patients are older, and thus potentially frailer than the non-SABR radically treated patients. SABR is safe and has justifiably become the treatment of choice for inoperable patients.
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