{"title":"The nutritional impact of metallic taste in head and neck cancer patients: explorations and clinical implications","authors":"Guillaume Buiret, Hélène Brignot, Chantal Septier, Thierry Thomas-Danguin, Gilles Feron","doi":"10.1007/s00520-024-08854-z","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Purpose</h3><p>Metallic taste (MT) is frequently observed during head and neck cancer treatments, but very little is known about its impact on nutritional status. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of MT on the quality of life and nutritional status in patients with head and neck cancer expressing MT.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Methods</h3><p>Questionnaires on quality of life, MT, weight, and food intake were filled out by 44 patients with head and neck cancer before, during, and up to 1 year after their treatment. Patients were divided into two groups based on their reported experience of MT.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Results</h3><p>MT was commonly observed (<i>n</i> = 12, 27.2%), always during the treatment phase, and mostly linked with radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. Reported MT intensity was moderate (<i>n</i> = 6, 40%) to high (<i>n</i> = 4, 26.7%). MT had a significant negative impact on quality of life linked to dysgeusia (<i>p</i> = 0.025). The negative impacts of MT on food intake and on weight were not significant, possibly due to a combination of sample size, dropouts, and duration of observation. Further research in this area could provide additional insights into how to better address the issue related to MT and enhance the quality of care provided to this patient population.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Conclusion</h3><p>Metallic taste, experienced by 27.2% of the 44 patients with head and neck cancer, contributes to dysgeusia and results in a significant decline in quality of life associated with dysgeusia.</p><h3 data-test=\"abstract-sub-heading\">Trial registration</h3><p>ClinicalTrials.gov trial registration number: NCT03558789.</p>","PeriodicalId":22046,"journal":{"name":"Supportive Care in Cancer","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Supportive Care in Cancer","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08854-z","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose
Metallic taste (MT) is frequently observed during head and neck cancer treatments, but very little is known about its impact on nutritional status. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of MT on the quality of life and nutritional status in patients with head and neck cancer expressing MT.
Methods
Questionnaires on quality of life, MT, weight, and food intake were filled out by 44 patients with head and neck cancer before, during, and up to 1 year after their treatment. Patients were divided into two groups based on their reported experience of MT.
Results
MT was commonly observed (n = 12, 27.2%), always during the treatment phase, and mostly linked with radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy. Reported MT intensity was moderate (n = 6, 40%) to high (n = 4, 26.7%). MT had a significant negative impact on quality of life linked to dysgeusia (p = 0.025). The negative impacts of MT on food intake and on weight were not significant, possibly due to a combination of sample size, dropouts, and duration of observation. Further research in this area could provide additional insights into how to better address the issue related to MT and enhance the quality of care provided to this patient population.
Conclusion
Metallic taste, experienced by 27.2% of the 44 patients with head and neck cancer, contributes to dysgeusia and results in a significant decline in quality of life associated with dysgeusia.
期刊介绍:
Supportive Care in Cancer provides members of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) and all other interested individuals, groups and institutions with the most recent scientific and social information on all aspects of supportive care in cancer patients. It covers primarily medical, technical and surgical topics concerning supportive therapy and care which may supplement or substitute basic cancer treatment at all stages of the disease.
Nursing, rehabilitative, psychosocial and spiritual issues of support are also included.