The effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis

The effectiveness of radiotherapy in the treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma: Systematic review and meta‐analysis:

Abstract

Introduction

Mucosal melanoma (MM) is a rare condition with a poor prognosis. Surgery is the corner stone of treatment, however, radiotherapy has been commonly employed as a treatment strategy and recent studies suggesting that survival outcomes may be improving are emerging.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis comparing risk ratios of radiotherapy and surgery and radiotherapy (SRT) with surgery for 5‐year overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis in head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM).

Results

SRT has a lower risk of death compared to surgery [RR 0.93 [95% CI = 0.87, 0.98] (P = .01)] and a reduced risk of local recurrence [RR 0.63 [95% CI = 0.48, 0.82] (P = .005)]. SRT has no effect on distant metastasis. Radiotherapy has worse survival when compared to surgery [RR 1.2 [95% CI = 1.03, 1.33] (P = .0006)].

Conclusions

SRT confers a moderate survival advantage in HNMM compared to surgery. This is most likely secondary to reduced local recurrence.