Nasopharyngeal cancer and feeding tube

If you are offered a feeding tube I would take it. You don’t have to use a peg if you have one. 
The alternative is to ensure you’ll be fitted with an NG if you get into trouble. This is what I did though my cancer wasn’t NPC. 
The nasopharynx is at the back of your throat above your soft palate. I feel sure you will run into difficulties swallowing but do get clarification from your team. 

Thank you Dani for your reply. I am just a bit worried about the PEG, I always worried about having an endoscopy and I am not very brave with needles, blood etc. and I understand that it needs maintenance.

However, I already had to go through 2 MRI's, mask fitting, chemotherapy, all what I never thought I would manage with my anxiety, claustrophobia and fear of needles and here I am, all done. I was just hoping to avoid PEG...but I see from the posts here that it's a life saver. I don't think NG would apply as I will need to have the radiotherapy mask on every day for 6 weeks.

Rose. said:

Thank you Dani for your reply. I am just a bit worried about the PEG,

Morning Rose. Most people have a fairly straightforward uneventful experience. Take a look at this thread for balance 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/head-neck-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis-and-treatment/304320/peg-fitting-experience

Rose. said:

I don't think NG would apply as I will need to have the radiotherapy mask on every day for 6 weeks.

I had mine in during RT. It squashes pretty easily under the mask. 

I found the endoscopy quite easy especially with the sedation they gave me.  Post insertion of my PEG I had absolutely no trouble with it.  The cleaning routine is easy although you do have to turn it to ensure it does not stick.  After the first time when you realise it is not painful then no problems.  In the end I could not have got through CRT/recovery without a feeding tube.  There is always the possibility of a RIG.  The same as a PEG but no endoscopy - instead they do it by x-ray to position it.

Thank you Dani and Peter for your advice and encouragement. I think it will be fitted next week when my radiotherapy starts, fingers crossed that it all goes smoothly and I manage not to be too anxious about it. Only the PEG was offered, not the NG.

I had a PEG fitted and was pretty anxious about the procedure... Light sedation beforehand....straightforward...no problems...

Hi Rose I had ng tube and 7 weeks of radiotherapy they squash the tube under the mask I had surgical cling film wrapped  round my neck  for last 2 weeks as well due to neck burning that was because lymph node was close to tip of skin. They can get very creative if they need to. Don’t stress about the feeding tube I looked at it as part of my treatment and it certainly was a lifesaver 

hugs Hazel xx

Thank you Michael and Hazel, I am so grateful for your replies. I am so glad to have found this forum, everyone is so supportive and understanding.

Understanding how important is to have a feeding tube and hearing that people who were anxious about it managed to deal with helps  a lot.

It's also that everything will happen at the same time - start of chemo (already had 3 cycles so this is known and not pleasant) once a week, radiotherapy is something new and then in the same time PEG fitting. It will be a tough week and more even tougher weeks to come.

I have to focus on the purpose and just get on with it...as you all did.

Me too. My mask didn't interfere with my NG or visa versa