I IJpma1, R J Renken2, G J Ter Horst3, A K L Reyners4. 1. Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: i.ijpma@umcg.nl. 2. Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.j.renken@umcg.nl. 3. Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Neuroimaging Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: g.j.ter.horst@umcg.nl. 4. Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.k.l.reyners@umcg.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Metallic taste is a taste alteration frequently reported by cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Attention to this side effect of chemotherapy is limited. This review addresses the definition, assessment methods, prevalence, duration, etiology, and management strategies of metallic taste in chemotherapy treated cancer patients. METHODS: Literature search for metallic taste and chemotherapy was performed in PubMed up to September 2014, resulting in 184 articles of which 13 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria: English publications addressing metallic taste in cancer patients treated with FDA-approved chemotherapy. An additional search in Google Scholar, in related articles of both search engines, and subsequent in the reference lists, resulted in 13 additional articles included in this review. Cancer patient forums were visited to explore management strategies. FINDINGS: Prevalence of metallic taste ranged from 9.7% to 78% among patients with various cancers, chemotherapy treatments, and treatment phases. No studies have been performed to investigate the influence of metallic taste on dietary intake, body weight, and quality of life. Several management strategies can be recommended for cancer patients: using plastic utensils, eating cold or frozen foods, adding strong herbs, spices, sweetener or acid to foods, eating sweet and sour foods, using 'miracle fruit' supplements, and rinsing with chelating agents. INTERPRETATION: Although metallic taste is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy and a much discussed topic on cancer patient forums, literature regarding metallic taste among chemotherapy treated cancer patients is scarce. More awareness for this side effect can improve the support for these patients.
BACKGROUND:Metallic taste is a taste alteration frequently reported by cancerpatients treated with chemotherapy. Attention to this side effect of chemotherapy is limited. This review addresses the definition, assessment methods, prevalence, duration, etiology, and management strategies of metallic taste in chemotherapy treated cancerpatients. METHODS: Literature search for metallic taste and chemotherapy was performed in PubMed up to September 2014, resulting in 184 articles of which 13 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria: English publications addressing metallic taste in cancerpatients treated with FDA-approved chemotherapy. An additional search in Google Scholar, in related articles of both search engines, and subsequent in the reference lists, resulted in 13 additional articles included in this review. Cancerpatient forums were visited to explore management strategies. FINDINGS: Prevalence of metallic taste ranged from 9.7% to 78% among patients with various cancers, chemotherapy treatments, and treatment phases. No studies have been performed to investigate the influence of metallic taste on dietary intake, body weight, and quality of life. Several management strategies can be recommended for cancerpatients: using plastic utensils, eating cold or frozen foods, adding strong herbs, spices, sweetener or acid to foods, eating sweet and sour foods, using 'miracle fruit' supplements, and rinsing with chelating agents. INTERPRETATION: Although metallic taste is a frequent side effect of chemotherapy and a much discussed topic on cancerpatient forums, literature regarding metallic taste among chemotherapy treated cancerpatients is scarce. More awareness for this side effect can improve the support for these patients.
Authors: Mariana Henriques Ferreira; Leticia Mello Bezinelli; Fernanda de Paula Eduardo; Roberta Marques Lopes; Andrea Z Pereira; Nelson Hamerschlack; Luciana Corrêa Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-06-24 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Javier Amézaga; Begoña Alfaro; Yolanda Ríos; Aitziber Larraioz; Gurutze Ugartemendia; Ander Urruticoechea; Itziar Tueros Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-05-31 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Joel B Epstein; Safira Marques de Andrade E Silva; Geena L Epstein; Jorge Henrique Santos Leal; Andrei Barasch; Gregory Smutzer Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-03-29 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: P Schalk; M Kohl; H J Herrmann; R Schwappacher; M E Rimmele; A Buettner; J Siebler; M F Neurath; Y Zopf Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-09-25 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Anju Gangadharan; Sung Eun Choi; Ahmed Hassan; Nehad M Ayoub; Gina Durante; Sakshi Balwani; Young Hee Kim; Andrew Pecora; Andre Goy; K Stephen Suh Journal: Oncotarget Date: 2017-04-04