Fang-Jung Yu1, Hsiang-Yao Shih2, Chien-Yi Wu3, Yun-Shiuan Chuang4, Jui-Ying Lee5, Hsien-Pin Li5, Pen-Tzu Fang6, Dong-Lin Tsai5, Shah-Hwa Chou7, I-Chen Wu1. 1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 2. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 3. Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 4. Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 5. Division of Chest Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 6. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. 7. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Division of Chest Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study prospectively recruited esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients who received esophageal stent, nasogastric tube (NGT), or jejunostomy/gastrostomy feeding to compare the changes in nutritional status and quality of life during chemoradiation therapy (CRT). METHODS: In total, 81 patients were analyzed (stent, 7; surgical ostomy, 26; NGT, 19; oral intake, 29). An NGT was inserted when, despite medication, dysphagia or pain worsened with oral feeding during CRT. Serial body weight and daily narcotic demand were recorded. Changes in serum albumin level and quality of life were also assessed. In subgroup analysis comparing NGT and prophylactic surgical ostomy feeding, 5 patients with total occlusion in the ostomy group were excluded. RESULTS: Patients in all groups had similar decreases in mean body weight with an overall change of -6.41% ± 5.21% at the end of CRT. The stent group had significantly worse pain, decreased albumin (-1.03 ± .9 mg/dL), and decreased quality of life across CRT compared with the other groups. In subgroup analysis the stent group had significantly higher weight loss, whereas the NGT group had higher narcotic demand and slightly worse quality of life. Two patients (7.7%) had ileus days after jejunostomy creation. Five patients (23.8%) among those received prophylactic ostomy creation and scarcely used it. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results raise concerns that use of esophageal stents may be less suitable in patients undergoing CRT. Tube feeding by means of transnasal or percutaneous routes appear to be comparably effective during CRT, but both have advantages and disadvantages. We suggest a careful endoscopic evaluation to select the population more appropriate for NGT feeding on an as-needed basis during CRT.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study prospectively recruited esophageal squamous cell carcinomapatients who received esophageal stent, nasogastric tube (NGT), or jejunostomy/gastrostomy feeding to compare the changes in nutritional status and quality of life during chemoradiation therapy (CRT). METHODS: In total, 81 patients were analyzed (stent, 7; surgical ostomy, 26; NGT, 19; oral intake, 29). An NGT was inserted when, despite medication, dysphagia or pain worsened with oral feeding during CRT. Serial body weight and daily narcotic demand were recorded. Changes in serum albumin level and quality of life were also assessed. In subgroup analysis comparing NGT and prophylactic surgical ostomy feeding, 5 patients with total occlusion in the ostomy group were excluded. RESULTS:Patients in all groups had similar decreases in mean body weight with an overall change of -6.41% ± 5.21% at the end of CRT. The stent group had significantly worse pain, decreased albumin (-1.03 ± .9 mg/dL), and decreased quality of life across CRT compared with the other groups. In subgroup analysis the stent group had significantly higher weight loss, whereas the NGT group had higher narcotic demand and slightly worse quality of life. Two patients (7.7%) had ileus days after jejunostomy creation. Five patients (23.8%) among those received prophylactic ostomy creation and scarcely used it. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results raise concerns that use of esophageal stents may be less suitable in patients undergoing CRT. Tube feeding by means of transnasal or percutaneous routes appear to be comparably effective during CRT, but both have advantages and disadvantages. We suggest a careful endoscopic evaluation to select the population more appropriate for NGT feeding on an as-needed basis during CRT.
Authors: Tilak Shah; Vladimir Kushnir; Pritesh Mutha; Mankanchan Majhail; Bhaumik Patel; Matthew Schutzer; Drew Mogahanaki; George Smallfield; Milan Patel; Alvin Zfass Journal: Endosc Int Open Date: 2019-10-31