Does feeding tube placement predict for long-term swallowing disability after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate feeding tube use.


METHODS
Nine hundred thirty-four patients were treated with radiotherapy (RT).


RESULTS
Feeding tubes were placed in 235 patients (25%): 212 patients (22.5%) for acute toxicity, 18 patients (2%) for late effects, and 5 patients (0.5%) for both. Median duration of tube dependence for acute toxicity was 3.8 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that feeding tube placement for acute toxicity was increased with higher RT dose (p <.0001), adjuvant chemotherapy (p =.0002), advanced age (p =.0002), and the presence of neck disease (p =.0045). The risk of a feeding tube for late effects was 2% at 5 years. The likelihood of feeding tube placement for late effects was greater for women (p =.0293), higher RT dose (p =.0345), and primary sites, including the hypopharynx and multiple synchronous primary tumors (p =.0360). Feeding tube placement for late effects was unrelated to tube placement for acute toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Likelihood of long-term feeding tube dependence was low and unrelated to placement for acute effects.
Al-Othman
Majid O F
MO
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida Health Science Center, 2000 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
Amdur
Robert J
RJ
Morris
Christopher G
CG
Hinerman
Russell W
RW
Mendenhall
William M
WM
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000528:radiation effects; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011336:Probability; D013997:Time Factors