Petra V Membreno1, Jordan B Luttrell1, Madhu P Mamidala1, David L Schwartz2, D Neil Hayes3, John P Gleysteen1, M Boyd Gillespie1. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. 3. Division of Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy is the accepted standard for treatment of advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC); however, alternative evidence suggests that definitive (chemo)radiotherapy may have similar outcomes. METHODS: Systematic review was performed to assess the therapeutic value of radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy as a primary modality for treating OCSCC. Meta-analysis of outcomes was performed between articles comparing radiotherapy and primary surgical treatment. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed less favorable results of radiotherapy compared to surgery: overall survival at 3-years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.77) and 5-years (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.29-0.60); disease-specific survival at 3-years (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.96) and 5-years (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.96). Odds of feeding tube dependency were higher in primary radiotherapy group (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.27-5.64). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study support the current perspective favoring primary surgical treatment for OCSCC in the absence of surgical contraindications.
BACKGROUND: Surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy is the accepted standard for treatment of advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC); however, alternative evidence suggests that definitive (chemo)radiotherapy may have similar outcomes. METHODS: Systematic review was performed to assess the therapeutic value of radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy as a primary modality for treating OCSCC. Meta-analysis of outcomes was performed between articles comparing radiotherapy and primary surgical treatment. RESULTS: Meta-analysis showed less favorable results of radiotherapy compared to surgery: overall survival at 3-years (odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.77) and 5-years (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.29-0.60); disease-specific survival at 3-years (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.96) and 5-years (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.96). Odds of feeding tube dependency were higher in primary radiotherapy group (OR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.27-5.64). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study support the current perspective favoring primary surgical treatment for OCSCC in the absence of surgical contraindications.