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Understanding the impact of taste changes in oncology care

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Abstract

Purpose

Taste perception is frequently altered in cancer patients. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on advances in understanding of the basic biology and physiology of taste and how taste and flavor may be impacted in cancer and its treatment.

Methods

A succinct review of the literature on the biology and neurology of taste, taste evaluation, and the impact in oncology is provided.

Results

Advances have occurred in the study of the gustatory system. Taste and smell are commonly affected during cancer care, and specific chemosensory complaints may persist in large numbers of cancer survivors. Limited study in oncology patients is available despite the significant impact that taste and smell have on oral intake and general physical and social well-being.

Conclusions

Taste and flavor has had limited study in cancer therapy. Impact on taste and flavor can result in changes ranging from elimination of taste to taste distortions that may be associated with taste aversions, nausea, and dietary compromise. New therapeutics and new approaches in oncology may have additional impact upon taste that requires further study. This paper reviews the current understanding of taste function, taste testing, and its potential impact on cancer care, to serve as a guide for directing further research.

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Notes

  1. Receptors in the gut have been identified that respond to amino acids, peptides, sugars, and bitter compounds by either releasing local peptides or by activating vagal afferents [8–10]. Since such extraoral structures do not contribute to taste perception per se, they are not discussed, as such, in this review. Nonetheless, it is important to recognize that stimulation of these receptors within the oral cavity is just the beginning phase of a complex interrelation between taste-related chemicals, digestion, and gastric function.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Dentistry Program, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Joel B. Epstein

  2. City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA

    Joel B. Epstein

  3. Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Gregory Smutzer

  4. Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Richard L. Doty

Authors
  1. Joel B. Epstein
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  2. Gregory Smutzer
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  3. Richard L. Doty
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Correspondence to Joel B. Epstein.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in review of the biology and testing of taste in oncology. Dr. Epstein and Smutzer are on the advisory board of Insys Rx that is planning development of an intervention for taste change, Dr. Smutzer is supported by an FSSMF grant from Temple University, and Dr. Doty is a shareholder in Sensonics International, a manufacturer and distributor of test of taste and smell.

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Epstein, J.B., Smutzer, G. & Doty, R.L. Understanding the impact of taste changes in oncology care. Support Care Cancer 24, 1917–1931 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3083-8

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