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. 2022 Jan;31(1):e13518.
doi: 10.1111/ecc.13518. Epub 2021 Oct 12.

Nutritional interventions in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: Current practice at the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology centres

Annemieke Kok  1 , Carlijn van der Lugt  1   2 , Marja J Leermakers-Vermeer  1 , Nicole M de Roos  2 , Caroline M Speksnijder  3   4 , Remco de Bree  4
Affiliations

Nutritional interventions in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: Current practice at the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology centres

Annemieke Kok et al. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To assess variations in nutritional interventions during chemoradiotherapy (CRT) among the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology centres (HNOCs).

Methods: An online questionnaire about nutritional interventions and dietetic practices was sent to 14 oncology dietitians of the HNOCs.

Results: The response rate was 93%. The number of scheduled dietetic consultations varied from two to seven during CRT. Most centres (77%) reported using a gastrostomy for tube feeding in the majority of patients. Gastrostomies were placed prophylactically upon indication (39%) or in all patients (15%), reactive (15%), or both (31%). For calculating energy requirements, 54% of the dietitians used the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization and United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) formula and 77% uses 1.2-1.5 g/kg body weight for calculating protein requirements. Almost half of the centres (46%) reported to remove the gastrostomy between 8 and 12 weeks after CR. Most centres (92%) reported to end dietary treatment within 6 months after CRT.

Conclusion: This study shows substantial variation in dietetic practice, especially in the use of a gastrostomy for tube feeding, between the HNOCs. There is a need for concise dietetic guidelines.

Keywords: chemoradiotherapy; diet therapy; enteral nutrition; gastrostomy; head and neck neoplasms; nutritional intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Estimated average time of gastrostomy removal after end of CRT treatment as reported by the 13 dietitians of the participating centres
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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