Thirty-two studies (n=2,978, range 20 to 430) were included in the review: three prospective randomised studies (n=676); 15 prospective non-randomised studies (n=948); and 14 retrospective analyses of consecutively treated patients (n=1,354). The median follow-up period was 47 months (range 20.4 to 84.6 months) where reported.
Meta-analyses of median survival rates following preoperative chemoradiotherapy and/or preoperative radiotherapy indicated: a one-year survival rate of 83.00% (95% CI 70.55 to 95.45%; one study, I2 not applicable); a two-year survival rate of 64.51% (95% CI 57.95% to 71.07%; four studies, I2=0%); a three-year survival rate of 70.44% (95% CI 67.38% to 73.50%; 13 studies, I2=84.5%); a four-year survival rate of 48.81% (95% CI 39.03% to 58.58%; two studies, I2=93.0%); and a five-year survival rate of 54.87% (95% CI 51.61% to 58.12%; 12 studies, I2=83.7%)
Results of meta-regression analysis were reported.