Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Taste and Smell Changes in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer or Gynecologic Malignancies

    March 2009 in “ Journal of Clinical Oncology ”
    Silke Steinbach, Thomas Hummel, Christina Böhner, Sabina Berktold, Walter Hundt, Monika Kriner, Petra Heinrich, H Sommer, Claus Hanusch, A. Prechtl, B. Schmidt, Ingo Bauerfeind, Katharina Seck, Volker R. Jacobs, Barbara Schmalfeldt, Nadia Harbeck
    TLDR Chemotherapy reduces taste and smell, but they mostly recover after treatment; adding spices may help improve appetite.
    This study assessed smell and taste changes in 87 patients undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer or gynecologic malignancies. It found that olfactory and gustatory functions significantly decreased during chemotherapy but nearly recovered 3 months post-treatment. Older patients experienced more olfactory impairment, while taste changes varied with the chemotherapeutic agent, with taxane-based treatments causing the most severe taste disorders. Salty taste was more affected than sweet, sour, or bitter. These sensory changes could lead to reduced appetite and weight loss, suggesting that additional spices and flavoring might improve patient compliance and quality of life during chemotherapy.
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