title: The efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis.
abstract: We performed an extensive review of the literature to compare the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to surgical resection, the current standard of care, in the treatment of adults with early-stage (T1-2N0M0) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity. Since patients who receive PDT are chosen with a high degree of selectivity, particular care was taken when extracting data for comparison. For outcomes measures, PDT was assessed in terms of a complete response to therapy, and surgery was evaluated in terms of locoregional control. Recurrences were also analyzed. We found 24 studies--12 for each treatment--to compare for this meta-analysis. In comparing a complete response to PDT and locoregional control with surgery, we found no statistically significant difference (mean difference [MD]: 1.166; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.479 to 2.839). With respect to recurrences, again no statistically significant difference was observed (MD: 0.552; 95% CI: 0.206 to 1.477). We conclude that PDT is as effective as primary surgical resection for the treatment of early-stage SCC of the oral cavity and that it is a valid function-preserving approach to treatment.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 462 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA. Eric.Cerrati@nyumc.org.
authors: Eric W
authors: EW
authors: Cerrati
authors: Shaun A
authors: SA
authors: Nguyen
authors: Joshua D
authors: JD
authors: Farrar
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Lentsch
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome