What type of sensory alterations do cancer patients experience?

Taste and smell changes are typical sensory alterations associated with cancer and can vary widely in their characteristics and impact on patients⁷. Chemosensory alterations may include hypo- or hypersensitivity to taste or smells, distortion of taste (dysgeusia), or taste perception in the absence of a stimulus (phantogeusia)^7,8. Dysgeusia and the development of bad tastes – such as bitter, chemical, metallic, or nauseating – are considered the most common sensory alterations in cancer. For example, a metallic taste was reported by 32% of patients with various cancer types undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy;⁴ and by 16% of patients with lung cancer in a separate study⁹.

What causes sensory alterations in patients with cancer?

The causes of sensory changes in patients with cancer are multifactorial and the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Most commonly, taste and smell changes occur as a side effect of cancer treatment. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy target rapidly dividing cells, such as taste and smell receptors (and their progenitor/stem cells), thereby causing cytotoxic damage. These therapies may also disrupt the production of saliva and mucus, indirectly affecting taste by causing a dry mouth and oral mucositis^1,10. Sensory changes may also arise as part of the complex pathophysiology of cancer. Potential mechanisms include systemic inflammation; modification of the gut microbiota; mechanical obstruction of chemoreceptor sites; tumor interference with neural transmission; and metabolic changes^1,10.

Why is it important to address taste alterations?

Taste and sensory alterations are an underestimated and distressing side effect of cancer treatment and can have a range of medical and psychosocial consequences. Most significantly, sensory changes may lead to weight loss and malnutrition^2,6. Sensory alterations are also associated with worse social-emotional function, emotional and role function, physical function, and poor overall quality of life^11,12.

What causes taste changes in cancer?

You perceive flavor via around 5000 taste buds on your tongue and inside your mouth. The taste buds contain special cells, called receptors, which detect the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami^2,3. Sometimes, taste changes are caused by the cancer itself interfering with the body’s normal processes^2,3. More often, however, taste changes are an unintended side effect of cancer treatment. Both radiotherapy and chemotherapy damage the tastebuds, affecting how food and drink taste; they can also affect the sensory nerves, changing how things feel in the mouth^2,3. Surgery for cancer may also affect taste and smell if it involves damaging parts of the mouth, tongue, or nose.

Why can cancer cause a dry mouth?

Treatments for cancer – particularly chemotherapy and radiotherapy – can cause a dry mouth by reducing the amount of saliva you make. Because saliva helps the tastebuds to perceive flavor, having a dry mouth can affect your sense of taste. It can also cause other problems, such as mouth infections, a sore throat, and even tooth decay^2,3.

How can taste alterations increase the risk of malnutrition?

In a study of patients with advanced cancer undergoing chemotherapy, patients with sensory alterations consumed 20–25% fewer calories per day and their average 6-month weight loss increased proportionally to the severity of chemosensory alterations². Weight loss rose from 4.3% in patients without taste or smell alterations to 5.5%, 9.0%, and 12.3% in patients who were mildly, moderately, and severely affected, respectively².

What are the consequences of weight loss in oncology patients?

Weight loss is of particular concern in patients with cancer, since malnutrition, and cachexia are all predictors of poor clinical outcomes. Malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, a greater risk of complications, reduced tolerance to chemo- and radiotherapy, and impaired quality of life^18,19. For these reasons, it is imperative to address early signs of malnutrition in patients with cancer and to provide optimal nutritional support.

Why is it important to consider sensory alterations when prescribing ONS?

The success of ONS at improving nutritional status and clinical outcomes is dependent on patient compliance^21,22. But achieving full compliance with ONS can be challenging if chemosensory changes are making certain flavors and textures unappealing or even unpalatable. Acceptability and liking of ONS are important factors in patient compliance with supplements^23,24; optimizing the palatability and acceptability of ONS is therefore an important strategy to improve patient compliance and maximize the success of ONS.