Chemotherapy for
cancer has been reported to have many side effects.
Dysgeusia or
taste disorder is a common complaint among
cancer patients undergoing ambulatory
chemotherapy. The present study was undertaken to establish the importance of
dysgeusia as a side effect of
chemotherapy in these patients. The study included 356 patients who visted Shikoku
Cancer Center to undergo outpatient
cancer chemotherapy. Of these patients, 156(43.8%)experienced
dysgeusia. Of the 156 patients, 34 were male and 122 were female. The incidence of
dysgeusia was higher in patients receiving FOLFOX6(oxaliplatin+ 5-FU),
docetaxel(DTX),
paclitaxel(PTX), docetaxel+cyclophosphamide(TC)or epirubicin+cyclophosphamide(EC) than in those receiving other regimens. When the occurrence of
dysgeusia was difficult to define, the changes in taste sensations were subtle for salty and umami taste. This disorder affected appetite: 87.2%of patients experienced loss of appetite. In addition, 66.7% of patients were distressed by this disorder.
Dysgeusia may significantly reduce the quality of life of patients undergoing
chemotherapy for
cancer. Therefore, patient support is important for patients who experience
dysgeusia.