Systematic review and meta-analysis of radiotherapy versus surgery for head and neck extramedullary plasmacytoma

There are significant gaps in the literature pertaining to the locoregional control and survival rates of extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) with respect to various treatment approaches. Systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 studies (742 patients) compared outcomes with radiotherapy versus surgery for head and neck EMP. The analysis found that radiation therapy had a lower progression rate to multiple myeloma and better 5-year disease-free survival rate than surgery. However, comparable recurrence rates, overall survival, and 2-year to 3-year disease-free survival were found between radiation therapy and surgery.