Trial Information

A Prospective Study of Prophylactic Gastrostomy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy in Medical Practice

Nutritional status is one of the essential factor to determine outcome of chemoradiotherapy
in head and neck cancer patients. Almost all these patients develop mucositis during the
treatment, which usually leads to treatment interruptions and affects the efficacy of the
treatment. Prophylactic gastrostomy has been accepted for these patients with improvement of
quality of life. However, there is no prospective study confirming superiority of such
treatment.

The investigators enrolled head and neck cancer patients who had the plan of
chemoradiotherapy. The patients will be informed about both treatment arms and will decide
the arm that they preferred. The treatment interruptions, body weight and nutritional status
will be assessed every 2 weeks during treatment period.