Multidisciplinary survey on use of feeding tubes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy in Germany-the SUFEETUBE project.
Strahlenther Onkol
; 200(7): 583-594, 2024 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38381142
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Data on enteral tube feeding in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy vary considerably between German institutions. This survey aims to investigate the management of feeding tubes in an interdisciplinary context across Germany. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Between December 2022 and May 2023, 70 participants (42 radiation oncologists, 12 medical oncologists, 14 head and neck surgeons, and 2 physicians covering several specialties) responded to our web-based survey. In addition to the type of institution (university hospital, private practice, etc.), their age, and professional experience (in years), participants were asked several questions on the indication and institutional policy for tube placement and management (prophylactic/reactive nasogastric or gastrostomy tube). All questions were mandatory single- or multiple-choice questions, while additional comments were possible by email.RESULTS:
Most participants were employed at a university hospital (nâ¯= 52; 74.3%) and came from a radiation oncology background (nâ¯= 42; 60%). Fifty-four contributors (77.1%) reported that no nutritional risk screening prior to chemoradiotherapy was routinely performed, and 71.4% (nâ¯= 50) stated that no standardized protocol was used at the institution to set the indication for tube placement. Generally, policies and methods of tube feeding vary considerably between the individual institutions and specialties. However, the majority (nâ¯= 56, 80%) recommended a prophylactic percutaneous enteral gastrostomy (PEG) tube to their patients before chemoradiotherapy. Still, there was no consistent trend regarding the approach for reactive tube feeding.CONCLUSION:
The policies and methods of tube feeding vary considerably between the individual institutions and specialties in Germany. In the era of individualized medicine, uniform protocols are difficult to establish. However, a baseline nutritional risk screening could simplify decision-making in clinical practice.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Gastrostomy
/
Enteral Nutrition
/
Chemoradiotherapy
/
Head and Neck Neoplasms
/
Intubation, Gastrointestinal
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Strahlenther Onkol
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article