Management and treatment of taste and smell alterations in oncologic patients undergoing antitumoral therapy and radiotherapy

WCRJ 2021; 8: e2123
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_202111_2123

  Topic: Cancer, Radiotherapy     Category:

Sollazzo F.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Liquori G.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Nitto M.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Failla A.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, De Leo A.
Nursing, Technical, Rehabilitation, Assistance and Research Department, IRCCS Istituti Fisioterapici Ospedalieri - IFO, Rome, Italy Close
, D’Inzeo V.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Chiappetta L.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Amodei G.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Messina C.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Forte D.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Montesano M.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, De Nuzzo D.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Muzio M.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Simone E.
Nursing, Technical, Rehabilitation, Assistance and Research Department, IRCCS Istituti Fisioterapici Ospedalieri - IFO, Rome, Italy
emanuele.disimone@uniroma1.it Close
, Dionisi S.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Orsi G. B.
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Giannetta N.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to investigate strategies to manage and treat taste and smell alterations in oncologic patients to minimize the effect these have on their quality of life and their nutritional model as well.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A scoping review was conducted, and the following international databases were consulted: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus. The scoping review process was conducted using Arksey & O’Malley’s framework.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were considered relevant and were divided into three macro areas: pharmacological interventions, aimed to manage and treat taste and smell alterations; nonpharmacological interventions and self-care strategies to adapt oneself as to not perceive the information provided by these senses and to accept the current situation as no reparatory interventions are available.

CONCLUSIONS: Both dysgeusia and dysosmia require complex evaluations, the etiopathogenesis mechanisms are not yet completely known and there are no universal evaluation instruments available. A precocious evaluation of these symptoms needs to include the physical, psychological, and social spheres of patients. Healthcare staff plays a key role as they link the primary care and home care of these symptoms. Taste and smell disturbances are underestimated and are not the focus of enough studies, and it is, therefore, desirable that the future holds an enlargement in the number of studies regarding aetiology, objective and subjective evaluation, and application of interventions to prevent, treat and manage these symptoms.

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To cite this article

Sollazzo F.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Liquori G.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Nitto M.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Failla A.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, De Leo A.
Nursing, Technical, Rehabilitation, Assistance and Research Department, IRCCS Istituti Fisioterapici Ospedalieri - IFO, Rome, Italy Close
, D’Inzeo V.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Chiappetta L.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Amodei G.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Messina C.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Forte D.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Montesano M.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, De Nuzzo D.
Teaching Hospital Sant’Andrea, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Muzio M.
Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Di Simone E.
Nursing, Technical, Rehabilitation, Assistance and Research Department, IRCCS Istituti Fisioterapici Ospedalieri - IFO, Rome, Italy
emanuele.disimone@uniroma1.it Close
, Dionisi S.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Orsi G. B.
Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
, Giannetta N.
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy Close
Management and treatment of taste and smell alterations in oncologic patients undergoing antitumoral therapy and radiotherapy

WCRJ 2021; 8: e2123
DOI: 10.32113/wcrj_202111_2123

Publication History

Submission date: 17 Sep 2021

Revised on: 08 Oct 2021

Accepted on: 17 Nov 2021

Published online: 26 Nov 2021