Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (2000) 82, 263–269. doi:10.1054/bjoc.1999.0913 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 17 December 1999

Quality of life and home enteral tube feeding: a French prospective study in patients with head and neck or oesophageal cancer

C Roberge1, M Tran2, C Massoud2, B Poirée2, N Duval2, E Damecour2, D Frout3, D Malvy4, F Joly1, P Lebailly1 and M Henry-Amar1

  1. 1Service de Recherche Clinique, Centre François Baclesse, Route de Lion-sur-Mer, Caen cedex 5, 14076, France
  2. 2Service Diététique, Centre François Baclesse, Route de Lion-sur-Mer, Caen cedex 5, 14076, France
  3. 3Service de Chirurgie ORL, Centre François Baclesse, Route de Lion-sur-Mer, Caen cedex 5, 14076, France
  4. 4Institut de Santé Publique, Centre René Labusquière, Bordeaux, France

Received 27 August 1998; Revised 20 July 1999; Accepted 2 August 1999.

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Abstract

A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the impact of home enteral tube feeding on quality of life in 39 consecutive patients treated for head and neck or oesophageal cancer at the Centre François Baclesse in Caen, France. Patients were taken as their own controls. Quality of life was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 core questionnaire, and the EORTC H&N35 and OES24 specific questionnaires. The feeding technique tolerance was evaluated using a questionnaire specifically developed for this study. Two evaluations were made, the first a week after hospital discharge (n = 39) and the second 3 weeks later (n = 30). Overall, the global health status/quality of life scale score slightly improved; among symptoms, scale scores that significantly improved (P< 0.05) concerned constipation, coughing, social functioning and body image/sexuality. The physical feeding technique tolerance was acceptable while the technique was psychologically less tolerated with two-thirds of the patients longing to have the tube removed. One third of the patients was also uncomfortable about their body image. Home enteral tube feeding was responsible for not visiting family or close relations in 15% of patients, and not going out in public in 23%. We conclude that home enteral tube feeding is a physically well accepted technique although a substantial proportion of patients may experience psychosocial distress. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords:

home enteral tube feeding, prospective study, tolerance, quality of life, cancer

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