Taste and smell perception and quality of life during and after systemic therapy for breast cancer

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess self-reported taste and smell perception after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients compared with women without cancer, and to assess whether taste and smell perception is associated with quality of life after the end of chemotherapy.MethodsWe included 135 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who completed chemotherapy and 114 women without cancer. Questionnaires on taste, smell, and quality of life were completed shortly after and 6 months after chemotherapy (patients) or at two moments with 6 months’ time window in between (comparisons).ResultsSelf-reported taste and smell perception were significantly lower in patients shortly after chemotherapy compared to the comparison group. Most patients recovered 6 months after chemotherapy, although patients who were still receiving trastuzumab then reported a lower taste and smell perception compared to patients who were not. A lower self-reported taste and smell were statistically significantly associated with a worse quality of life, social, emotional, and role functioning shortly after chemotherapy. Six months after chemotherapy, taste and smell were statistically significantly associated with quality of life, social and role functioning, but only in patients receiving trastuzumab.ConclusionsMost taste and smell alterations recovered within 6 months after the end of chemotherapy for breast cancer, but not for patients receiving trastuzumab. These results highlight the importance of monitoring taste and smell alterations during and after treatment with chemotherapy and trastuzumab, as they may impact quality of life.

Self-reported taste and smell alterations and the liking of oral nutritional supplements with sensory-adapted flavors in cancer patients receiving systemic antitumor treatment

“…Overall, patients with taste alterations were shown to be more discriminant in overall liking score per flavor compared to patients without taste alterations. Of the five prototype flavors, 3 sensory- In this non-select cohort of patients, taste alterations are shown in 60% of patients and smell alterations in 26% of patients, which is in line with previous reports [2,8,23,24]. The clinical consequences of taste and smell alterations highlight the importance of identifying and managing such symptoms [2].…”

“…The exact mechanism underlying the diversity in chemosensory profiles observed in patients is not yet fully understood. Sensory alterations have been associated with decreased quality of life in patients with cancer and have a negative impact on socialemotional functioning [6][7][8].…”

Nutrition and Breast Cancer: A Literature Review on Prevention, Treatment and Recurrence

“…Finally, it should be underlined that low BMI (<18.5 kg/m 2 ) is also associated with poorer prognosis. Indeed, therapy-induced nausea has a substantial impact on eating enjoyment, leading to inadequate energy and essential nutrient intakes, and resulting in malnutrition, reduced compliance with treatment regimens, reduced immunity, emotional distress and negative quality of life [93,94,95]. Although this phenomenon appears to be possibly related to major vulnerability of underweight women to treatment [89], fortunately, these effects are transient, and recover after the end of chemotherapy.…”

The prevalence and impact of oral complication in women during chemotherapy after surgery for breast cancer – A cross sectional study

“…[17] During chemotherapy for breast cancer it is reported that up to 80% of women have noticed a change in their sense of taste. [17,18] This could contribute to reduce women's intake of food and drink and lead to a significant reduction in the intake of energy and protein causing significant reduction in BMI during the treatment. [15] In our study approximately 50% of women reported that oral symptoms had an impact on what they chose to drink and 28% reported that their choice of food items were impacted.…”