%0 Journal Article
%T The Current Position of Postoperative Radiotherapy for Salivary Gland Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
%A Wang J
%A Moon JE
%A Guo X
%A Yu J
%A Yi J
%A Bae SH
%J Cancers (Basel)
%V 16
%N 13
%D 2024 Jun 28
%M 39001437
%F 6.575
%R 10.3390/cancers16132375
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Because of the rarity, heterogeneous histology, and diverse anatomical sites of salivary gland cancer (SGC), there are a limited number of clinical studies on its management. This study reports the cumulative evidence of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for SGC of the head and neck.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases between 7th and 10th November 2023.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>A total of 2962 patients from 26 studies between 2007 and 2023 were included in this meta-analysis. The median RT dose was 64 Gy (range: 56-66 Gy). The median proportions of high-grade, pathological tumor stage 3 or 4 and pathological lymph node involvement were 42% (0-100%), 40% (0-77%), and 31% (0-75%). The pooled locoregional control rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 92% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89-94%), 89% (95% CI, 86-93%), and 84% (95% CI, 73-92%), respectively. The pooled disease-free survival (DFS) rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 77% (95% CI, 70-83%), 67% (95% CI, 60-74%), and 61% (95% CI, 55-67%), respectively. The pooled overall survival rates at 3, 5, and 10 years were 84% (95% CI, 79-88%), 75% (95% CI, 72-79%), and 68% (95% CI, 62-74%), respectively. Severe late toxicity ≥ grade 3 occurred in 7% (95% CI, 3-14%).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>PORT showed favorable long-term efficacy and safety in SGC, especially for patients with high-grade histology. Considering that DFS continued to decrease, further clinical trials exploring treatment intensification are warranted.