LAUSR

e17509 Background: HNC patients are at risk for weight loss which can cause treatment interruptions, and poorer outcomes. There is no consensus on optimal timing of PEG tube placement in HNC patients undergoing concurrent ChemoTherapy (CT) and RadioTherapy (RT). The aim of this study is to determine if pPEG tube would decrease weight loss (WL) in HNC patients. We also analyzed correlation between WL and CT interruptions (CTI), RT interruptions (RTI), and intravenous fluid requirements (IVFr). Methods: This is a prospective study. A total of 16 HNC patients undergoing concurrent CT, RT were included. Before treatment initiation, a PEG tube placement was recommended as a mode of nutrition. 13 patients chose to get pPEG tube and 3 refused. We collected data on weight at 0 and 2 months, CTI, RTI, and IVFr. CTI included missed as well as reduced chemotherapy doses. RTI included missed radiations. Statistical tests used - t-test, Levene’s test for equality of variances and point biserial correlation. Results: Median age - 63 years; Gender: 14 Male/2 Female; Tumor location - Oral cavity - 31.3%; Oropharynx - 43.7%; Larynx - 25%; Nasopharynx and Hypopharynx- 0%. Stages were - II (6.2%), III (37.5%) and IV (56.3%). 2 patients were non-smoker and 4 were Human Papilloma Virus positive. Mean WL(lb) in pPEG (n = 11) vs non-PEG (n = 3) group was 10.3 vs 20.3 (p = 0.045, one-tailed t-test). Average percentage of WL: PEG vs non-PEG - 5.8 vs 8.2; RTI vs not - 8.9 vs 5.3; CTI vs not - 6.9 vs 5.8; IVFr vs not - 6.8 vs 4.5 ( > 7.5% WL over 3 months is significant (ADA/ASPEN)). CTI, RTI and IVFr were positively correlated to WL (correlation coefficient: 0.16; 0.32; 0.17 respectively). CTI and RTI in pPEG group were 23.1% and 38.5% respectively. CTI and RTI in non-PEG group were 33.3% and 66.7% respectively. 2 patients in pPEG group had average weight gain of 2.75 lb. Only 3 patients had PEG tube related complications - infections and clogging. Conclusions: pPEG tube decreases weight loss in locally advanced HNC patients. Patients with higher weight loss had more chemoradiation interruptions and IVFr. HNC patients undergoing concurrent CT, RT should be encouraged to maintain weight and get a PEG tube.