Implementation of meta-analysis approach, comparing conventional radiotherapy, and proton beam therapy treating head and neck cancer.

Shaikh, Firdous; Sodhi, Sonia Kaur; Kale, Lata M; Talib, Yusuf A; Saleem, Huma Md

Introduction Radiation therapy is commonly used in the treatment of head and neck cancer in both the definitive and postoperative settings. Proton therapy, due to its intrinsic physical properties, has the ability to reduce the integral dose delivered to the patients while maintaining highly conformal target coverage. Materials and Methods .A literature search was performed on scientific databases, and Preferred Reporting Items for Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to compute results. Only original studies were selected. Selected studies were used to extract some proposed data for comparison, dosimetry, site, complications, and survival. Results Proton beam therapy technology can be used against the conventional radiotherapy and shows satisfactory results. Yet conventional therapy is not less advantageous considering the amount of work available for any cross interpretations. Conclusion Comparative preplanning could be beneficial considering multiple therapies for ruling out the best treatment outcomes that could be expected.