Meta-analysis of meta-analyses in oncologic positron emission tomography.

Abstract

As PET has become a standard of treatment in patients with cancer, publications of oncologic PET have grown sharply. We aimed to organize the data of meta-analyses of oncologic PET and assess the quality of studies. The inclusion criteria were studies that meta-analyzed to combine the data from multiple studies of oncologic PET. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) to assess the reporting quality of the included studies. A total of 254 meta-analyses were eligible for inclusion in the study. The peak number of publications increased up to 42 in 2014. Lung (n=39, 15.4%) is the most common site of tumor included in meta-analysis with oncologic PET. Overall, 84% of studies were categorized into diagnostic test accuracy reviews (n=214). Studies published in 2010 or later (n=213) showed higher PRISMA scores than those published in 2009 or before. A large number of meta-analyses are published in the field of oncologic PET. Meta-analyses in oncologic PET seem to be cited more often than regular research papers. The overall quality of studies is low; however, they showed improvement after PRISMA statement.