title: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube dependence following chemoradiation in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Compare long-term percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube dependence, stricture rate, and weight loss in patients receiving a prophylactic gastrostomy tube with those who initially rely on oral intake during chemoradiation for head and neck cancer. Also, to determine what other patient and treatment characteristics influence development of long-term severe dysphagia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-nine patients received a PEG tube and 25 did not. The prophylactic and initial oral intake groups were then analyzed to assess the primary outcomes of PEG dependence at last follow-up >1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On univariate and multivariate analysis, Zubrod score >1, prophylactic PEG placement, and higher T classification were predicted for PEG tube dependence at last follow-up at least 1 year after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prophylactic PEG tube, high Zubrod score, and high T stage were independent predictors for PEG tube dependence at least 1 year after treatment in patients with head and neck cancer receiving definitive chemoradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, Georgia.
authors: Surjeet
authors: S
authors: Pohar
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, Georgia.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Demarcantonio
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, Georgia.
authors: Phillip
authors: P
authors: Whiting
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, Georgia.
authors: Edwin
authors: E
authors: Crandley
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Wadsworth
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, Georgia.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Karakla
mesh_terms: D059248:Chemoradiotherapy; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Radiation therapy; dysphagia; swallowing