Preoperative chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: The benefit of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in oesophageal cancer has been extensively studied but data on survival are still equivocal. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in the reduction of mortality in patients with resectable oesophageal cancer. Methods: Computerised bibliographic searches of MEDLINE and CANCERLIT (1970–2002) were supplemented with hand searches of reference lists. Study selection: Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing preoperative chemoradiotherapy plus surgery with surgery alone, and if they included patients with resectable histologically proven oesophageal cancer wit…
Can chemotherapy concomitantly delivered with radiotherapy improve survival of patients with resectable rectal cancer? A meta-analysis of literature data
Summary Background There is clear evidence from two systematic reviews that radiotherapy (RT) reduces the risk of local recurrence in patients with resectable rectal cancer, though the data on survival are still equivocal. Objective To assess the effects of chemotherapy combined concomitantly with radiotherapy (CRT) on the increase of overall survival, and on the prevention of local recurrence and distant metastases. Data sources Computerized bibliographic searches of MEDLINE and CANCERLIT (1970–2008) were supplemented with hand searches of reference lists. Study selection Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing preoperative or postoperative CRT to p…
The impact of radiotherapy on survival in resectable gastric carcinoma: A meta-analysis of literature data.
Summary Background The benefit of external radiotherapy for gastric carcinoma has been extensively studied, but data on survival are still equivocal. Objective To assess the effectiveness of surgery combined with preoperative radiotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy in the reduction of all-cause mortality in patients with resectable gastric carcinoma. Methods Computerised bibliographic searches of MEDLINE and CANCERLIT (1970–2006) were supplemented with hand searches of reference lists. Study selection Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mortality of surgery combined with preoperative radiotherapy or postoperative chemoradiotherapy to surg…