Research into the prevention and rehabilitation of dysphagia in head and neck cancer: a UK perspective

Nutritional prehabilitation in head and neck cancer: A systematic review of literature

BACKGROUND/SCOPE

Malnutrition is a common problem among patients with head and neck cancer and can have adverse effects on overall health and treatment outcomes. Nutritional and physical prehabilitation are potential strategies to optimize the nutritional status of these patients. This systematic review aimed to identify and describe prehabilitative interventions that can promote an improvement in nutritional status.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted in the databases PubMed/Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus and on the platform Web of Science and in Cochrane Library. The selected studies concern adults with head and neck tumours, not malnourished at the time of diagnosis, who undergo nutritional or physical prehabilitation.

RESULTS

Out of 1369 results, 7 studies were included. Multimodal prehabilitation interventions that combine nutritional counseling, oral nutritional supplements, and swallowing exercises to prevent dysphagia have shown positive outcomes in maintaining caloric intake, body weight, swallowing ability, and a reduced incidence of fibrosis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, as well as improving quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Despite the limited number of clinical studies available in the literature, the results suggest that nutritional and physical prehabilitation interventions have a positive effect on the nutritional status and clinical outcomes of patients with head and neck cancer, helping mitigate the risk of malnutrition and improve general well-being.

Late-onset swallowing outcomes post-treatment for head and neck cancer in a UK-based population

BACKGROUND

Adverse swallowing outcomes following head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment in the context of late-onset post-radiotherapy changes can occur more than five years post-treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted utilising patient records from March 2013 to April 2015. Patients were categorised into 'swallow dysfunction' and 'normal swallow' groups. Quality of life was investigated using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory and EuroQol questionnaires.

RESULTS

Swallow dysfunction was seen in 77 (51 per cent) of 152 patients. Twenty-eight patients (36 per cent) in the swallow dysfunction group reported symptoms in year five. Swallow dysfunction was associated with stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (p < 0.001) and radiotherapy (p < 0.001). MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory global scores showed significant differences between swallow dysfunction and normal swallow groups (p = 0.01), and radiotherapy and surgery groups (p = 0.03), but there were no significant differences between these groups in terms of MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory composite or EuroQol five-dimensions instrument scores.

CONCLUSION

One-third of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma survivors with swallow dysfunction still show symptoms at more than five years post-surgery, a point at which they are typically discharged.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Residual and Recurrent Oropharyngeal Cancers

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a well-established treatment option for treatment-naïve oropharyngeal cancer. For residual, recurrent, and new primary oropharyngeal tumors emerging in previously irradiated fields, the global experience of management with TORS is limited. This article discusses current concepts on this topic, offers a deeper insight into the transoral anatomy for these cases, and covers the specific complexities of resections in the various subsites of the oropharynx. It provides practical tips on reconstruction, recovery, and rehabilitation as well as offering a synthesis of the current evidence and exploring future trends.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy

Background and aim

The primary aim of our study was to evaluate percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement depending on body weight and body mass index in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). A secondary aim was to evaluate the course of weight change following PEG placement.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 186 patients with HNC undergoing radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) at our institution between January 2010 and August 2017. Initial weight and nutritional intake were analyzed prior to RT initiation and then followed throughout treatment until completion. Based on these data, the indication of PEG placement was determined. Medical records were also reviewed to analyze PEG-related acute toxicities.

Results

A total of 186 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were most commonly male (n=123, 66.1%) with squamous cell carcinoma (n=164, 88.2%). Patients who had dysphagia prior to treatment initiation as well as patients with a BMI <18.5 kg/m² needed PEG placement earlier during the treatment course. Low-grade toxicities related to PEG insertion were observed in 10.7% patients, with peristomal pain and redness adjacent to the PEG tube insertion site being most common. High-grade toxicities, such as peritonitis and organ injury, were found in 4.9% of patients.

Conclusion

Underweight patients and those with preexisting dysphagia should be closely screened during RT for weight loss and decreased oral intake. For weight loss greater than 4.5% during the treatment of HNC, early PEG-tube placement should be considered. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings, and delineate a scoring system for timing of PEG use (prophylactic vs reactive) as well as assess the quality of life in patients with HNC who receive PEG placement.

Late Effects of Organ Preservation Treatment on Swallowing and Voice; Presentation, Assessment, and Screening

The prevalence of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is on the rise. Treatments for HNC can have a major deleterious impact on functions such as swallowing and voice. Poor functional outcomes are strongly correlated with distress, low quality of life, difficulties returning to work and socializing. Furthermore, dysphagia can have serious medical consequences such as malnutrition, dehydration, and pneumonia. A conservative estimate of the percentage of survivors living with dysphagia in the long-term is between 50 and 60%. Evidence is emerging that functions can worsen over time, sometimes several years following treatment due to radiation-associated fibrosis, neuropathy, intractable edema, and atrophy. Muscles lose their strength, pliability, stamina, and range, speed, precision, and initiation of movements necessary for swallowing and voice functions. Late treatment effects can go unrecognized, and may only be identified when there is a medical complication such as hospitalization for aspiration pneumonia. In the routine healthcare setting methods of evaluation include a detailed case history, a thorough clinical examination and instrumental assessments. Interventions for late treatment effects are limited and it is imperative that patients at risk are identified as early as possible. This paper considers the role of screening tests in monitoring swallowing and detecting aspiration in the long-term. Further work is indicated for addressing this pressing and increasingly common clinical problem.

Gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for chemoradiation patients with head and neck cancer: the TUBE pilot RCT

BACKGROUND

Approximately 9000 new cases of head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCCs) are treated by the NHS each year. Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is a commonly used treatment for advanced HNSCC. Approximately 90% of patients undergoing CRT require nutritional support via gastrostomy or nasogastric tube feeding. Long-term dysphagia following CRT is a primary concern for patients. The effect of enteral feeding routes on swallowing function is not well understood, and the two feeding methods have, to date (at the time of writing), not been compared. The aim of this pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) was to compare these two options.

METHODS

This was a mixed-methods multicentre study to establish the feasibility of a RCT comparing oral feeding plus pre-treatment gastrostomy with oral feeding plus as-required nasogastric tube feeding in patients with HNSCC. Patients were recruited from four tertiary centres treating cancer and randomised to the two arms of the study (using a 1 : 1 ratio). The eligibility criteria were patients with advanced-staged HNSCC who were suitable for primary CRT with curative intent and who presented with no swallowing problems.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the willingness to be randomised. A qualitative process evaluation was conducted alongside an economic modelling exercise. The criteria for progression to a Phase III trial were based on a hypothesised recruitment rate of at least 50%, collection of outcome measures in at least 80% of those recruited and an economic value-of-information analysis for cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

Of the 75 patients approached about the trial, only 17 consented to be randomised [0.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13 to 0.32]. Among those who were randomised, the compliance rate was high (0.94, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.05). Retention rates were high at completion of treatment (0.94, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.05), at the 3-month follow-up (0.88, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.04) and at the 6-month follow-up (0.88, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.04). No serious adverse events were recorded in relation to the trial. The qualitative substudy identified several factors that had an impact on recruitment, many of which are amenable to change. These included organisational factors, changing cancer treatments and patient and clinician preferences. A key reason for the differential recruitment between sites was the degree to which the multidisciplinary team gave a consistent demonstration of equipoise at all patient interactions at which supplementary feeding was discussed. An exploratory economic model generated from published evidence and expert opinion suggests that, over the 6-month model time horizon, pre-treatment gastrostomy tube feeding is not a cost-effective option, although this should be interpreted with caution and we recommend that this should not form the basis for policy. The economic value-of-information analysis indicates that additional research to eliminate uncertainty around model parameters is highly likely to be cost-effective.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The recruitment issues identified for this cohort may not be applicable to other populations undergoing CRT. There remains substantial uncertainty in the economic evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

The trial did not meet one of the three criteria for progression, as the recruitment rate was lower than hypothesised. Once patients were recruited to the trial, compliance and retention in the trial were both high. The implementation of organisational and operational measures can increase the numbers recruited. The economic analysis suggests that further research in this area is likely to be cost-effective.

FUTURE WORK

The implementation of organisational and operational measures can increase recruitment. The appropriate research question and design of a future study needs to be identified. More work is needed to understand the experiences of nasogastric tube feeding in patients undergoing CRT.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN48569216.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 22, No. 16. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Patient adherence to swallowing exercises in head and neck cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

A younger population and improved treatments for head and neck cancer (HNC) mean that more people are now living longer with the consequences of treatment, including long-term swallowing problems (dysphagia). Exercises aim to improve swallowing function, however highly variable adherence rates are currently reported, with no standard measure of adherence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Measuring adherence to swallowing exercises depends on the definition of 'adherence', the tools used to measure adherence, and the acceptable threshold that is used to constitute adherence or nonadherence. Particular barriers to swallowing exercise adherence include the burden of treatment, the commitment required to undertake a home-based exercise programme and the difficulty in motivating patients to exercise before swallowing problems have become apparent. Findings from the wider literature on general exercise interventions highlight the importance of external and patient-related factors on adherence, including patient beliefs, social support, self-regulation and goal setting.

SUMMARY

Key barriers and motivators to adherence are presented, which will have implications for the design of future swallowing exercise interventions. The relevance of behaviour change theory in facilitating adherence is highlighted, with ongoing studies used to exemplify how behaviour change components and analysis of patient beliefs can be incorporated into intervention development.

Swallowing after transoral surgery for oropharyngeal cancer: comparison with primary chemoradiotherapy outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Survival equipoise is recognized between the contemporary surgical and oncological approaches to oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treatment. Primary transoral surgery (TOS) options have emerged that utilize either laser or robotic techniques. Our review presents an overview of the evidence available for swallowing outcomes following TOS approaches and compares these with outcomes following primary oncological management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Meta-analysis of swallow outcomes following TOS or (chemo)radiotherapy is not possible given the heterogeneity of the available data. There are suggestions of less swallowing impairment following primary TOS, but the favourable selection of patients to these case series must be considered.

SUMMARY

Minimizing swallowing impairment following oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treatment, while ensuring oncological efficacy, should be a priority for head and neck healthcare providers. Primary TOS may offer an advantage to patients, but only through a team approach that considers how adjuvant oncological therapy could be tailored to individuals. High-quality clinical trials are in progress that will inform future practice.