Comparison of Prophylactic Versus Reactive Tube Feeding Approaches on Weight Loss and Unplanned Hospital Admissions in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Chemoradiotherapy

Brown, T; Cooney, L; Smith, D; Elvin-Walsh, L; Kern, E; Ahern, S; Brown, B; Hickman, I; Porceddu, S; Kenny, L; Hughes, B

Author(s): Brown, T; Cooney, L; Smith, D; Elvin-Walsh, L; Kern, E; Ahern, S; Brown, B; Hickman, I; Porceddu, S; Kenny, L; Hughes, B;
Details: Publication Year 2026-12-21,Volume 33,Issue #1,Page 5
Journal Title: Current Oncology
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: The study's aim was to compare the unplanned admission rates and nutrition outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) receiving chemoradiotherapy at two different hospitals with different nutrition support approaches. Hospital Site A used prophylactic tube feeding and Site B used reactive tube feeding. Consecutive HNSCC patients receiving chemoradiotherapy with curative intent over six months in 2015 were eligible for this prospective comparative cohort study. Only patients who were classified as at high nutrition risk using validated guidelines were included. Patients' weight was recorded at the start, end, and 4-6 weeks post treatment to determine percentage weight loss outcomes. Unplanned hospital admissions (for medical or nutrition related reasons) and associated length of stay (LOS) were collected throughout and up to 1-month post treatment. In total, 88 patients were included in the study (site A n = 58; site B n = 30). The mean age was 60 years, 86-90% were male, and predominantly had oropharyngeal cancer. There was no statistical difference between the groups for percentage weight loss at any timepoint, rates of unplanned nutrition related admissions, or LOS. Stepwise logistic analysis showed that being of an older age was predictive of having an unplanned nutrition-related admission. In summary, there was no difference in the rate of unplanned admissions or percentage weight loss for patients with HNSCC managed under the prophylactic versus reactive tube feeding approach. Decision making regarding the choice of feeding tube should be made in consultation with the patient and the multidisciplinary team.
Publisher: MDPI
Keywords: Humans; Male; Female; *Weight Loss; Middle Aged; *Chemoradiotherapy/methods/adverse effects; *Head and Neck Neoplasms/therapy; *Enteral Nutrition/methods; Aged; Prospective Studies; Hospitalization; *Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/therapy; Length of Stay; chemoradiotherapy; enteral nutrition; gastrostomy; head and neck cancer; nasogastric tube; tube feeding
Department(s): Radiation Oncology
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33010005
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33010005
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2026-06-11 05:53:19

Last Modified: 2026-06-11 05:53:32