Evaluating predictive factors for determining enteral nutrition in patients receiving radical radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: A retrospective review

Predictors of weight loss during radiotherapy in patients with stage I or II head and neck cancer

“…6,8,23,44 In the literature, the early stages (I or II) are generally compared with advanced stages (III or IV), and the comparisons show that advanced stage HN cancer patients are more likely to experience weight loss and consequently to receive enteral nutrition. 19 Our study found that differences in weight loss are observed during the early stages. Dysphagia and swallowing difficulties before treatment have been described as being strongly associated with weight loss.…”

“…4,18 Tumor site is the most recognized risk factor for weight loss. 6,8,19 Several studies suggest that global health status, diet, and quality of life can influence the ability of cancer patients to maintain adequate nutritional intake during their cancer treatments. 14,[20][21][22][23] To prevent therapy-associated weight loss and interruptions of RT, clinical guidelines recommend the use of intensive dietary counseling and oral nutritional supplements.…”

Validation of the Total Dysphagia Risk Score (TDRS) as a predictive measure for acute swallowing dysfunction induced by chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers

“…Swallowing dysfunction caused by the therapy sometimes becomes severe, and this is one of the largest obstacles in conducting concomitant chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Few previous studies have addressed this issue [7], but some reports mentioned that more than half of the cases required enteral feeding temporarily [8], and about 20% required long-term enteral feeding [1]. Nguyen et al reported that aspiration was frequently observed during the course of therapy, sometimes leading to fatal aspiration pneumonia [9,10].…”

“…Several studies have addressed risk factors for severe swallowing dysfunction in radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Manger et al argued that clinical stage, general condition and history of smoking may be risk factors for severe dysphagia in chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers [8].…”

Feeding Tube Enterostomies in Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancers

“…Patients with primary nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and base of tongue tumors and in need of hyperfractionated RT do well from PEG feeding. 22 A review of 142 postoperative patients found heavy alcohol use, tongue base involvement, pharyngectomy, composite resection and reconstruction with a myocutaneous flap to be significantly associated with the need for long-term nutritional support. A gastrostomy at the time of initial surgical therapy was recommended in this subset of patients.…”