Prospective evidence suggests that the selection of feeding tube during chemoradiation (CRT) indirectly affects swallowing outcome. This study explores the patients' perspective on long-term swallowing ability comparing these two feeding routes. Two groups, receiving nutritional supplementation via a prophylactic gastrostomy tube (group G) and by the oral route or via a nasogastric tube (group NG) during CRT, disease-free at ≥24 months following treatment were matched for age, site and stage of tumour. Patient-reported swallowing outcomes for both groups were assessed using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Group G consisted of 16 patients and group NG of 15 patients. There was statistically significant difference in MDADI scores between the two groups in all domains of the questionnaire (p<0.001), with superior outcomes in group NG. Use of gastrostomy tubes during CRT conferred a worse swallowing outcome in the long term in this tightly matched cohort of patients.
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