title: Comparison of treatment compliance and nutritional outcomes among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma with and without percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy during chemoradiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to compare treatment compliance and nutritional outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients during chemoradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical information of patients with NPC that underwent chemoradiation during 2004-2009 were retrieved from the hospital database and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorised into a prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PPEG) group and a non-PPEG group. Clinical information including treatment compliance, weight, haematological and renal toxicity was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 219 patients were reviewed and categorised into PPEG (n=77) and non-PPEG (n=142). Significant differences in absolute percentage weight loss between groups were found from the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy. There were 24.2, 20.3 and 24.8% in the third, the fourth and the fifth cycles of chemotherapy, respectively. Migration of grade 2 to grade 3 weight loss was obviously seen in the 3rd cycle as well. A significant difference of grade 3 or more hypokalemia was found with values of 14.3% and 50% in the PPEG and non-PPEG groups, respectively. Other toxicity parameters and treatment compliance were not different between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of PPEG resulted in decreased severe weight loss, reduced migration from grade 2 to grade 3 weight loss and reduced hypokalaemia. However, benefits in treatment compliance could not be detected. So consideration of PPEG in NPC patients requires care.
authors: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand. pthanarpan@gmail.com
authors: Thanarpan
authors: T
authors: Peerawong
authors: Temsak
authors: T
authors: Phungrassami
authors: Kovit
authors: K
authors: Pruegsanusak
authors: Rassamee
authors: R
authors: Sangthong
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002277:Carcinoma; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005774:Gastrostomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil