Elective gastrostomy, nutritional status and quality of life in advanced head and neck cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Chemoradiotherapy for treatment of advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) is used to achieve organ preservation without compromising survival. Because chemoradiotherapy usually impacts adversely on nutritional and functional status, feeding by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is often part of the management regimen for these patients, but the presence of a PEG tube can also be associated with reduced quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to examine the factors associated with PEG insertion and the effects of PEG use on QOL and functional outcomes in HNC patients receiving chemoradiotherapy.


METHODS
Survey of 36 consecutive patients treated by primary chemoradiotherapy for HNC. Patient weight, age, tumour type, details of PEG insertion, feeding regimens and treatment were noted. The survey comprised the Performance Status Scale, the Functional Measure for Swallowing, Nutritional Mode and a self-assessment of QOL.


RESULTS
PEG insertion within 1 month of treatment was associated with smaller fall in body mass index at 12 months than PEG insertion 1 month or more after the start of the treatment (P < 0.05). Body mass index change was inversely correlated with health-related quality of life and significantly related to lower speech and swallowing function scores. Longer PEG duration correlated with poorer performance status and swallowing function (P < 0.01). Longer PEG duration also predicted poorer overall QOL (P < 0.01) and poorer swallowing (P < 0.01) and speech (P < 0.05). Nutritional mode was related to overall QOL (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Nutritional support for HNC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy is an essential component of patient care. Early PEG insertion and shorter PEG duration are associated with more favourable QOL-related outcomes.
Morton
Randall P
RP
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Counties - Manukau District Health Board, Manukau, New Zealand. rpmorton@middlemore.co.nz
Crowder
Victoria L
VL
Mawdsley
Robert
R
Ong
Esther
E
Izzard
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011788:Quality of Life; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents