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Self-reported and objective taste and smell evaluation in treatment-naive solid tumour patients

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Abstract

Background

Taste and smell abnormalities (TSA) commonly occur in cancer and are associated with anorexia, early satiety, malnutrition, weight loss and reduced quality of life. A recent study found a high TSA prevalence in newly diagnosed cancer patients before treatment. This suggests that TSA may originate from the tumour itself. No previous study has examined TSA, both subjectively and objectively, in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve cancer patients. This study aimed to address this gap.

Methods

This prospective observational study recruited consecutive, newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with solid tumours at Radiation Oncology Out-patients. Self-reported taste and smell changes since becoming ill were evaluated using modified Taste and Smell Survey, and objective taste and smell tests were conducted using ‘Sniffin’ Sticks Olfactory Test® and Burghart Taste Strips®. Nutritional status was assessed with abridged Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment.

Results

Thirty completed the study. Seventy-four per cent had at least one TSA. Taste changes and/or abnormalities were more prevalent than smell, and subjective taste changes more common than objective abnormalities. Although less common, smell abnormalities impacted quality of life more. TSA characteristics were heterogeneous. Forty-seven per cent were at malnutrition risk. No association was found between TSA and nutritional status.

Conclusions

Over two thirds had at least one TSA and almost half were at malnutrition risk. Self-reported TSA included changes in taste and smell perception, and most commonly persistent bad taste. This study demonstrated the complexity of TSA assessment and the prevalence, severity and impact of these and related symptoms in treatment-naïve cancer patients.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the nursing and administration staff at the Radiation Oncology Out-patient at St James Hospital for their assistance with data collection processes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Department of Palliative Medicine, Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services, Dublin, Ireland

    Pauline Uí Dhuibhir, Michelle Barrett, Niamh O’Donoghue & Declan Walsh

  2. School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Pauline Uí Dhuibhir

  3. School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Michelle Barrett

  4. School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Niamh O’Donoghue & Declan Walsh

  5. St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network, St James’ Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    Charles Gillham & Nazmy El Beltagi

  6. School of Medicine & Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    Declan Walsh

  7. Department of Supportive Oncology, Levine Cancer Institute, 1021 Morehead Street, Charlotte, NC, 28204, USA

    Declan Walsh

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  1. Pauline Uí Dhuibhir
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  2. Michelle Barrett
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  3. Niamh O’Donoghue
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  6. Declan Walsh
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Correspondence to Declan Walsh.

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Uí Dhuibhir, P., Barrett, M., O’Donoghue, N. et al. Self-reported and objective taste and smell evaluation in treatment-naive solid tumour patients. Support Care Cancer 28, 2389–2396 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05017-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05017-3

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