Treatment-Related Dysgeusia in Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Nutrients

Alberta Barlattani¹  Arianna Vignigni²  Monica Emanuelli²  Davide Sartini²  Lucrezia Togni²  Sonila Alia²  Andrea Santarelli²  Marco Mascitti² 

[1] Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Tor Vergata University, 00133 Rome, Italy;Department of Clinical Specialistic and Dental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60126 Ancona, Italy;

关键词: dysgeusia;    taste disorders;    oral squamous cell carcinoma;    oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma;    chemotherapy;    radiation therapy;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu13103325

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Oral cancer is the most common tumor of the head and neck region. Its management is based on surgical and systemic therapies. Taste disorders represent the most common side effect of these treatments; indeed, dysgeusia is noted by 70% of oral cancer patients. Despite survival remaining the primary endpoint of cancer patients, taste impairments can cause psychological distress. This comprehensive review describes the last decade’s knowledge from the literature regarding taste alterations in patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 26 articles in English, including prospective, cross-sectional, and case–control studies, and clinical trials were evaluated. Literature analysis shows that anti-cancer treatments can destroy taste cells, decrease and alter their receptors, and interrupt nerve transmission. Furthermore, the tumour itself can destroy the oral mucosal lining, which encloses the taste buds. Dysgeusia typically occurs in 3–4 weeks of treatments, and usually taste sensation is recovered within 3–12 months. However, some patients exhibit incomplete or no recovery, even several years later. Thus, dysgeusia can become a chronic issue and negatively influence patients’ quality of life, worsening their dysphagia and their nutritional status. Physicians should be focused on preventing oncological treatment-related symptoms, offering the most suitable personalized support during therapy.

【 授权许可】

Unknown