Prophylactic versus reactive feeding approach in patients undergoing adjuvant radiation therapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: A propensity score matched-pair analysis

BackgroundTo assess the efficacy of prophylactic versus reactive feeding strategy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). MethodsThis was a post hoc analysis of patients of OCSCC enrolled in a randomized trial comparing three adjuvant strategies. In this trial, till 2010, a prophylactic feeding approach was followed for all patients. Since January 2011, a reactive feeding approach was followed. ResultsTwo hundred and sixty-eight in each cohort (total n = 526) were eligible for analysis after propensity score matching. At 6 weeks post-RT completion, the median weight loss in the prophylactic versus reactive cohort was 5 versus 3 kg, p = 0.002. At all other time points until 1 year, the median weight loss was lesser in reactive than in the prophylactic cohort. ConclusionsA reactive feeding tube approach should be preferred for OCSCC receiving adjuvant RT.

Automated summary

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic versus reactive feeding strategy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) patients receiving adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). The results showed that the prophylactic cohort had significantly higher weight loss at 6 weeks post-RT completion compared to the reactive cohort, and the median weight loss was consistently lower in the reactive cohort at all other time points. Therefore, a reactive feeding tube approach should be preferred for OCSCC patients receiving adjuvant RT.