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01-08-2010 | Review Article

A systematic review of dysgeusia induced by cancer therapies

Authors: Allan J. Hovan, P. Michele Williams, Peter Stevenson-Moore, Yula B. Wahlin, Kirsten E. O. Ohrn, Linda S. Elting, Fred K. L. Spijkervet, Michael T. Brennan, Dysgeusia Section, Oral Care Study Group, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO)

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 8/2010

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose was to review relevant scientific papers written since 1989 which focused on the prevalence and management of dysgeusia as an oral side effect of cancer treatment.

Methods

Our literature search was limited to English language papers published between 1990 and 2008. A total of 30 papers were reviewed; the results of 26 of these papers were included in the present systematic review. A structured assessment form was used by two reviewers for each paper. Studies were weighted as to the quality of the study design, and treatment recommendations were based on the relative strength of each paper.

Results

A wide range in reported prevalence of dysgeusia was identified with the weighted prevalence from 56–76%, depending on the type of cancer treatment. Attempts to prevent dysgeusia through the prophylactic use of zinc sulfate or amifostine have been of limited benefit. Nutritional counseling may be helpful to some patients in minimizing the symptoms of dysgeusia.

Conclusions

Dysgeusia is a common oral side effect of cancer therapy (radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combined modality therapy) and often impacts negatively on quality of life. From the current literature, there does not appear to be a predictable way of preventing or treating dysgeusia.

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Brennan MT, Elting LS, Spijkervet FKL. Systematic reviews of oral complications from cancer therapies, Oral Care Study Group, MASCC/ISOO: methodology and quality of the literature. Support Care Cancer doi:10.1007/s00520-010-0856-3

Title: A systematic review of dysgeusia induced by cancer therapies
Authors: Allan J. Hovan
P. Michele Williams
Peter Stevenson-Moore
Yula B. Wahlin
Kirsten E. O. Ohrn
Linda S. Elting
Fred K. L. Spijkervet
Michael T. Brennan
Dysgeusia Section, Oral Care Study Group, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)/International Society of Oral Oncology (ISOO)
Publication date: 01-08-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 8/2010
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0902-1

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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