Study designs of evaluations included in the review
No design criteria were given. The included studies were classified into: meta-analysis, phase 3 studies, phase 1 and 2 studies, retrospective studies, reviews and other studies (including case studies, letters, editorials and comments).
Specific interventions included in the review
External radiotherapy, alone, or in combination with surgery; interstitial radiotherapy, alone, or in combination with external radiotherapy; chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy and/or surgery or concomitant with radiotherapy.
Participants included in the review
The participants were patients with tumours in the tongue, pharynx, larynx and regional lymph nodes.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Local tumour control, relapse and survival were assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
One reviewer read and classified the studies. A second reviewer and, where necessary, up to two external reviewers commented on preliminary drafts of the review. No additional information was provided.