Optimizing Selection of Reactive versus Prophylactic Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Patients Treated with Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To develop a predictive assessment for determining patients at high risk of reactive gastrostomy tube (GT) placement during radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancer.

Methods and materials

Data of patients with head and neck cancer treated with RT from 2018 to 2021 at a single institution were analyzed. Baseline patient characteristics were obtained and used to compare patients receiving prophylactic GT (pGT) with those who did not receive a pGT (reactive, or rGT group). Patients in the rGT group were further categorized as rGT-conditional (had GT placed or experienced > 10% weight loss during RT) or rGT-appropriate (no GT placed and < 10% weight loss during RT). Clinical, disease, and dosimetric factors were abstracted from the medical record, including dose t

SUBMITTER: Gallardo NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12805019 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature