A Regression Meta-Analysis for Myelopathy in Re-Irradiation of Non-Spinal Cord Tumours
In brief
Myelopathy risk rises 9% for each 10 Gy2 increase in cumulative dose during spinal reirradiation
A meta-analysis of 43 studies (2527 patients) found that radiation-induced myelopathy incidence climbs by about 9% for every additional 10 Gy2 of cumulative biologically effective dose, while each extra month between treatments cuts the odds by roughly 16%. Proton reirradiation showed no events despite higher doses, suggesting a possible safety advantage that needs prospective confirmation.
- Journal
- Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)) (Q1)
- Published
- 30 April 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review of cohort studies
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2a)
- Authors
- A Salem, L Alsaloumi, S Althyabat, N Ararawi, S Alawadat, S Sawalqah, et al.
- PMID
- 42696942
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.clon.2026.104182
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, Medical Physics and Imaging (paper of the day, 7 September 2026): Meta‑analysis of myelopathy risk in spinal re‑irradiation
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Radiation-induced myelopathy is a severe complication following spinal reirradiation. This dose-response meta-analysis quantified the relationship between cumulative biologically effective dose (BED) and myelopathy incidence following photon- and proton-based reirradiation for non-spinal cord tumours. MATERIAL/METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, we screened 11,220 studies through May 2024. Included studies reported myelopathy outcomes following photon or proton reirradiation where the spinal cord was within the radiation field. Studies on primary spinal cord tumours and brachytherapy were excluded. Dose-response meta-analysis evaluated the relationship between cumulative BED (α/β = 2) and myelopathy incidence using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) RESULTS: Forty-three studies encompassing 2527 patients were included. Among photon reirradiation cases (40 studies, 2444 patients), 30 myelopathy events occurred, yielding a baseline incidence of 0.009% (95% CI: 0.001-8.58%). Patients developing myelopathy received significantly higher mean cumulative BED (140 Gy2 versus 100 Gy2, p < 0.001) and experienced substantially shorter median inter-treatment intervals (8.5 versus 23.5 months, p < 0.001). Meta-regression demonstrated a significant dose-response relationship (p = 0.039), with each 10 Gy2 increase in cumulative BED associated with 9.3% absolute increase in myelopathy risk (95% CI: 0.5-18.1%). Each additional month between reirradiation courses reduced myelopathy odds by 16% (OR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.77-0.91, p < 0.0001; 27 studies, n = 1850). Three proton reirradiation studies (83 patients, 3.3%) with mean cumulative BED of 170.2 Gy2 reported zero myelopathy events. CONCLUSION: Radiation-induced myelopathy following spinal reirradiation demonstrates significant dose-dependent risk, increasing by 9.3% per 10 Gy2, with each additional month of inter-treatment interval reducing odds by 16%. These findings support stringent dose constraints and adequate treatment spacing in spinal reirradiation planning. Proton reirradiation showed no myelopathy events despite higher cumulative doses, warranting further prospective evaluation. PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024600408).
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.