A European survey on the practice of nutritional interventions in head–neck cancer patients undergoing curative treatment with radio(chemo)therapy

Abstract

Purpose As the practice of nutritional support in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) during curative radio(chemo)therapy is quite heterogeneous, we carried out a survey among European specialists. Methods A 19-item questionnaire was drawn up and disseminated via the web by European scientific societies involved in HNC and nutrition. Results Among 220 responses, the first choice was always for the enteral route; naso-enteral tube feeding was preferred to gastrostomy in the short term, while the opposite for period longer than 1 month. Indications were not solely related to the patient’s nutritional status, but also to the potential burden of the therapy. Conclusion European HNC specialists contextualize the use of the nutritional support in a comprehensive plan of therapy. There is still uncertainty relating to the role of naso-enteral feeding versus gastrostomy feeding in patients requiring < 1 month nutritional support, an issue that should be further investigated.

Clinical nutrition in surgical oncology: Young AIOM-AIRO-SICO multidisciplinary national survey on behalf of NutriOnc research group

“…Among the strengths of this study, it is worth noting that this survey included the young sections of three different anticancer Italian associations (AIOM, AIRO, and SICO, merged into the NutriOnc Research Group) and an overall high number of included professionals and Institutions while its limitations include the lack of data on clinical outcomes. Our findings are partially in line with previous experiences suggesting that a remarkable proportion of interviewed professionals does not follow a specific nutritional protocol in the daily clinical practice due to several reasons (e.g., lack of financial support, lack of educational courses, lack of human resources) (48). The value of using different screening tools has practical limitations: parameters should be easy, quick, useful in different populations, and carried out by both dieticians and physicians with clinical expertise in nutritional assessment.…”

Rehabilitation interventions for malnutrition in head and neck cancer patients: Current state and future directions

“…[31,32] Feeding via an NGT may be preferable in the short term, but a PEG may be more appropriate for patients requiring long-term enteral nutrition. [33,34] If enteral feeds are expected to last longer than 4 weeks, PEG is recommended. [18]…”

“…[31,32] Feeding via an NGT may be preferable in the short term, but a PEG may be more appropriate for patients requiring long-term enteral nutrition. [33,34] If enteral feeds are expected to last longer than 4 weeks, PEG is recommended. [18] Parenteral nutrition For patients with HNC who cannot receive tube feeding or who have severe intestinal insufficiency such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea, PN can be used when neither ONS nor tube feeding can meet their nutritional needs.…”

Multidisciplinary survey on use of feeding tubes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy in Germany—the SUFEETUBE project

“…announced their results originating from a 19-item multinational survey with more than 10 contributing European (and non-European) countries. It is worth mentioning that Germany contributed less than 1% and therefore was not mentioned separately [ 18 ].…”