Understanding the results of meta-analyses in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell cancer.

Clinical trials evaluating therapies in patients who have head and neck cancer are often challenged by low power and competing clinical outcomes, which makes interpretation difficult. Meta-analyses that combine the results of independent trials have the potential to provide high-quality, evidence-based information on what should be considered best practice beyond that of any one trial. In this summary of published meta-analyses, the authors review the evidence supporting the use of concurrent chemotherapy and fractionated radiotherapy for patients who have locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx.