Taste, smell and mouthfeel disturbances in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors

Abstract

Context Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances are underrated and underreported, but important side effects of anti-cancer medication. These symptoms are associated with a lower quality of life (QoL). The prevalence and the impact of taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances on daily life in patients with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) are largely unknown. Objectives This exploratory study assessed the prevalence and type of taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances and their impact on daily life and QoL in patients with a GIST treated with a tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI). Methods Patients currently treated with TKIs for GIST completed a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed changes in taste, smell, and mouthfeel and, if changes occurred, impact on daily life and QoL. Statistics are descriptive. Results A total of 65 GIST patients on TKI treatment completed the questionnaire. Of these patients, 79%, 12%, and 9% currently used imatinib, sunitinib, and regorafenib respectively. Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances were reported by 25 (38%), 15 (23%), and 36 (55%) patients respectively. Salty and sweet tastes were mostly affected, respectively in 14 and 13 patients. A dry mouth was experienced by 29 (45%) patients. Taste disturbances were more often reported to have impact on daily life and QoL (80% and 60%) than smell (47% and 31%) and mouthfeel disturbances (47% and 30%). Conclusion Taste, smell, and mouthfeel disturbances are frequent side effects of TKIs in GIST patients. Daily life and QoL are affected in a considerable number of those patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NL7827 (2019-06-25).

Neuropsychiatric Adverse Drug Reactions with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: An Analysis from the European Spontaneous Adverse Event Reporting System

“…In addition, evidence about olfactory disorders, such as parosmia and anosmia, is unknown. Smell disturbances were associated with other TKIs used in patients affected by GISTs: smell alterations (23%), reduced sense of smell (27%), and new unpleasant smells (20%) [ 56 ]. Furthermore, the onset of hallucinations, including visual and auditory ones, were unknown; however, the FDA multi-disciplinary review and evaluation for AVA suggests that the use of AVA could be associated with hallucinations occurring in 2.6% of patients with GISTs [ 57 ].…”

The COVID HOME study research protocol: Prospective cohort study of non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients

“…Consenting study participants were called three weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis to fill in a questionnaire (CRF-04) regarding smell and taste alterations by phone. The questionnaire was based on a previously used questionnaire which was designed to study taste and smell disturbances in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors [ 48 ]. The questionnaire was adjusted to study COVID-19 patients.…”

Investigating oral somatosensory perception and oral symptoms of head and neck cancer patients: insights on eating behaviour

“…This includes food choices (preferences and avoidance), food intake, and eating experience [ 11 ]. It was shown that sensory alteration was correlated to lower energy intake and higher weight loss, contributing to declined nutritional status and quality of life of advanced HNC patients and patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours [ 10 , 12 ].…”