Randomized controlled trials of radiation therapy for cutaneous malignancies: a systematic review

Purpose

In cutaneous oncology, radiotherapy use is largely based on retrospective studies, institutional experience, and expert consensus, with limited high-level evidence to guide practice. We summarize randomized controlled trials in cutaneous radiation oncology and identify gaps in contemporary treatment warranting additional study. Methods and materials: We searched Ovid MEDLINE ALL, Embase.com , and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials of radiotherapy for cutaneous malignancies: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), melanoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Outcomes of interest included recurrence, survival, toxicity and cosmesis. Study inclusion required approval by three authors, with discrepancies resolved by an additional author.