Treatment package time (TPT) and surgery to post-operative radiotherapy (S-PORT) interval in head and neck cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

The impact of key treatment intervals on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) survival remains unclear.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, assessed 22 cohort studies including 322,569 patients. The mean threshold for prolonged total treatment package time (TPT) was 95.21 days, while for surgery-to-postoperative radiotherapy (S-PORT), it was 6.9 weeks.

RESULTS

Both prolonged TPT and S-PORT intervals were significantly associated with reduced survival (TPT: HR = 1.25; S-PORT: HR = 1.03; p < 0.0001). However, the negative impact of extended TPT was more pronounced compared to S-PORT delays.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that minimizing TPT delays is critical for optimizing HNSCC outcomes. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies limits the generalizability of results. Further research is needed to establish standardized treatment timelines and improve survival rates in HNSCC patients.