title: Involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) versus elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis of incidence of elective nodal failure (ENF).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) has generated concern about the increasing incidence of elective nodal failure (ENF) in contrast to elective nodal irradiation (ENI). This meta-analysis aimed to provide more reliable and up-to-date evidence on the incidence of ENF between IFRT and ENI.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched three databases for eligible studies where locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients received IFRT or ENI. Outcome of interest was the incidence of ENF. The fixed-effects model was used to pool outcomes across the studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 3 RCTs and 3 cohort studies included with low risk of bias. There was no significant difference in incidence of ENF between IFRT and ENI either among RCTs (RR = 1.38, 95 % CI: 0.59-3.25, p = 0.46) or among cohort studies (RR = 0.99, 95 % CI: 0.46-2.10, p = 0.97). There was also no significant difference in incidence of ENF between IFRT and ENI when RCTs and cohort studies were combined (RR = 1.15, 95 % CI: 0.65-2.01, p = 0.64). I2of test for heterogeneity was 0 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis provides more reliable and stable evidence that there is no significant difference in incidence of ENF between IFRT and ENI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated to Shandong University, Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Jiyan Road 440, 250117, Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Ruijian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Sixiang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Lingxia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology II, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Key Department of Yantai Health Bureau, Yantai, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Weiyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated to Shandong University, Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Jiyan Road 440, 250117, Jinan, Shandong, China. 1171210713@qq.com.
authors.forename: Baosheng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Elective nodal failure; Elective nodal irradiation; Involved field radiotherapy; Non-small cell lung cancer