The changing landscape of head and neck cancer radiotherapy patients: is high‐risk, prolonged feeding tube use indicative of on‐treatment weight loss?

INTRODUCTION: Precision radiotherapy relies heavily on optimal weight management. Our group previously developed a risk stratification model for patients at risk of prolonged feeding tube (FT) intervention. The study objective was to assess on‐treatment weight loss according to stratified risk of prolonged FT use. METHODS: One hundred and one (n = 101) definitive head and neck radiotherapy patients were included in this study. Patients were stratified into high risk (HRi: T‐classification ≥ 3 with level 2 Nodal disease), high‐intermediate risk (HIRi: T‐classification ≥ 3 without level 2 Nodes) and low‐intermediate risk (LIRi: T‐classification < 3 with level 2 Nodes) of prolonged FT use. Demographic variables and on‐treatment weight loss were evaluated according to risk status. RESULTS: Oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) was present in a larger proportion in the LIRi cohort (HRi: 71%, HIRi: 52%, LIRi: 81%, P = 0.008). LIRi patients were more likely to have human papilloma virus (HPV)‐associated disease (88%, P = 0.001). Never/minimal smoking (P = 0.003), good performance status (P < 0.001), healthy BMI (P = 0.050) and no pre‐existing dysphagia (P < 0.001) were predominant within the LIRi prognostic group. LIRi patients lost significantly more weight in total (HRi = 4.8% vs. LIRi = 8.2%, P = 0.002; HIRi = 5.2% vs. LIRi = 8.2%, P = 0.006) and when using a FT (HRi = 4.6% vs. LIRi = 8.8%, P < 0.001; HIRi = 5.3% vs. LIRi = 8.8%, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients identified as low‐intermediate risk of prolonged, ≥25% FT use report significantly increased weight loss compared with patients at higher risk of FT use. This cohort is typical of the increasing number of patients presenting with HPV‐associated OPC. Results of this study suggest we should closely observe such patients throughout treatment, to ensure optimal weight maintenance, facilitating precision radiotherapy.