Optimal Tube Feeding Method in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Head and Neck Cancer
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Head and Neck Cancer focused on measuring head and neck cancer, chemoradiation therapy, bolus feeding, gravity feeding, pump feeding, optimal enteral feeding method, To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing percent weigtht loss., To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing tolerance of enteral feeds., To determine the optimal tube feeding method by analyzing percent met of estimated calories and protein.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Males and females
- 18 years or older
- Diagnosis of SCCHN undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (including patients who received induction therapy upfront
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients who have a small bowel feeding tube (only tube feeding via pump is allowed in this case)
- Patients with history of gastric surgery which may have resulted in altered gastrointestinal function
- Patients with history of uncontrolled diabetes and/or gastroparesis which may interfere with gastric emptying and inability to tolerate bolus feeds
- Patients at high risk of aspiration in which case slower feeds by using gravity or pump are indicated
Sites / Locations
- Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Bolus
Gravity
Pump
Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group.
Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group.
Upon tube feeding initiation determined by the HNC multidisciplinary team, the patients will be randomized into three different groups, each consisting of 20 patients each: Bolus (Group 1), Gravity (Group 2), and Pump (Group 3). The randomization process within these three groups will based on 1) age and 2) estimated caloric need. For example, if we have three 60-year-old patients whose estimated kcals needs are ≤ 1900kcals/day, then each patient will be randomized to either Bolus, Gravity or Pump group. Another example is that if we have two 45-year-old patients whose estimated needs are 2400kcals/day, then one patient will randomly be assigned to the Bolus group, and the other one will be randomly assigned to the Gravity group. The third patient that will fit that category will be assigned to the Pump group.