What do systematic reviews say?

Concomitant (concurrent) chemoradiotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy plus surgery

Chemoradiotherapy showed no clear difference in overall survival compared with chemoradiotherapy plus surgery (high certainty).

• Chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy plus surgery for esophageal cancer 2017 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.99 [0.79, 1.24]
  2 studies · 431 participants
  High

Pre-radiotherapy extraction of healthy molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (leaving the teeth in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Pre-radiotherapy extraction of diseased molar teeth vs Conservative treatment (restoration of the teeth and leaving them in place during radiotherapy, with oral health education and disease prevention: oral hygiene, fluoride, diet advice)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Dental extractions prior to radiotherapy to the jaws for reducing post‐radiotherapy dental complications 2013 · Cochrane All outcomes
  no estimate extracted
  0 studies
  No studies found

Extended‐field radiotherapy vs pelvic radiotherapy

Extended‐field radiotherapy probably leads to lower overall survival compared with pelvic radiotherapy (moderate certainty).

• Extended‐field radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.67 [0.48, 0.94]
  1 study · 337 participants
  Moderate

Extended‐field radiotherapy vs pelvic chemoradiotherapy

Extended‐field radiotherapy probably leads to lower overall survival compared with pelvic chemoradiotherapy (moderate certainty).

• Extended‐field radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.5 [0.39, 0.64]
  1 study · 389 participants
  Moderate

Hypofractionated radiotherapy vs radiotherapy

Hypofractionated radiotherapy showed no clear difference in overall survival compared with conventional radiotherapy (moderate certainty).

• Radiotherapy for diffuse brainstem glioma in children and young adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 1.03 [0.53, 2.01]
  1 study · 71 participants
  Moderate

Low‐dose adjuvant radiotherapy vs standard‐dose adjuvant radiotherapy

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• De‐intensified adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy versus standard adjuvant chemoradiotherapy post transoral minimally… 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy vs radiotherapy

Hyperfractionated radiotherapy showed no clear difference in overall survival compared with conventional radiotherapy (low certainty).

• Radiotherapy for diffuse brainstem glioma in children and young adults 2016 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 1.07 [0.75, 1.53]
  1 study · 130 participants
  Low

Concomitant (concurrent) chemoradiotherapy vs Radiotherapy alone

Concomitant (concurrent) chemoradiotherapy probably leads to lower overall survival, concurrent chemoradiotherapy vs radiotherapy alone… compared with radiotherapy alone (non-resectable tumours) (moderate certainty).

• Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
  HR 0.74 [0.67, 0.83]
  24 studies · 2852 participants
  Moderate

Extended‐field chemoradiotherapy vs pelvic chemoradiotherapy

It is very uncertain whether extended‐field chemoradiotherapy changes overall survival compared with pelvic chemoradiotherapy (very low certainty).

• Extended‐field radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.37 [0.14, 0.96]
  1 study · 74 participants
  Very low

Surgery +/- radiotherapy + (adjuvant) chemotherapy vs Surgery +/- radiotherapy alone (observation or adjuvant radiotherapy only)

Surgery +/- radiotherapy + (adjuvant) chemotherapy probably leads to lower overall survival, adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation vs adjuvant… compared with surgery +/- radiotherapy alone (observation or adjuvant radiotherapy… (moderate certainty).

• Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
  HR 0.84 [0.72, 0.98]
  4 studies · 1097 participants
  Moderate

Standard‐dose adjuvant radiotherapy alone vs adjuvant chemoradiotherapy

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• De‐intensified adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy versus standard adjuvant chemoradiotherapy post transoral minimally… 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Induction chemotherapy plus locoregional treatment (radiotherapy and/or surgery) vs Locoregional treatment (radiotherapy and/or surgery) alone

Induction chemotherapy plus locoregional treatment (radiotherapy… showed no clear difference in overall survival, induction platinum + 5-fluorouracil prior to… compared with locoregional treatment (radiotherapy and/or surgery) alone (moderate certainty).

• Interventions for the treatment of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer: chemotherapy 2021 · Cochrane All outcomes
  HR 0.85 [0.70, 1.04]
  5 studies · 7427 participants
  Moderate

Hypofractionated radiotherapy vs daily conventionally fractionated radiotherapy

It is very uncertain whether hypofractionated radiotherapy changes overall survival compared with daily conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (very low certainty).

• External beam radiation dose escalation for high grade glioma 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.95 [0.78, 1.17]
  5 studies · 943 participants
  Very low

Concomitant (concurrent) chemoradiotherapy vs radical surgery

• Type II or type III radical hysterectomy compared to chemoradiotherapy as a primary intervention for stage IB2… 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  Very low

Hysterectomy (simple or radical) with radiotherapy vs Radiotherapy alone

Hysterectomy (simple or radical) with radiotherapy showed no clear difference in overall survival Median compared with radiotherapy alone (low certainty).

• Hysterectomy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both for women with locally advanced cervical cancer 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.89 [0.61, 1.29]
  1 study · 256 participants
  Low

Hysterectomy (simple or radical) with chemoradiotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy alone

It is very uncertain whether hysterectomy (simple or radical) with chemoradiotherapy changes overall survival Median compared with chemoradiotherapy alone (very low certainty).

• Hysterectomy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both for women with locally advanced cervical cancer 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 102 participants
  Very low

Hysterectomy (simple or radical) with chemoradiotherapy vs internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) with chemoradiotherapy

Hysterectomy (simple or radical) with chemoradiotherapy showed no clear difference in overall survival Median compared with internal radiotherapy (brachytherapy) with chemoradiotherapy (low certainty).

• Hysterectomy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy or both for women with locally advanced cervical cancer 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.65 [0.35, 1.21]
  1 study · 211 participants
  Low

Daily conventionally fractionated radiotherapy vs supportive care

Daily conventionally fractionated radiotherapy probably leads to higher overall survival compared with no radiotherapy (supportive care alone) (moderate certainty).

• External beam radiation dose escalation for high grade glioma 2020 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 2.01 [1.58, 2.55]
  4 studies · 397 participants
  Moderate

Surgery plus whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) vs stereotactic radiosurgery

It is very uncertain whether surgery plus whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) changes overall survival compared with stereotactic radiosurgery (very low certainty).

• Surgery versus stereotactic radiotherapy for people with single or solitary brain metastasis 2018 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.92 [0.48, 1.77]
  1 study · 64 participants
  Very low