title: Taste and smell dysfunction in patients receiving chemotherapy: a review of current knowledge.
abstract: Disorders of taste are prevalent in patients undergoing chemotherapy and often have a negative impact on quality of life and nutrition. We now present a review of the physiology of taste and smell and a discussion of the multiple causes of disturbances in these senses in patients undergoing standard- and high-dose chemotherapy. A better understanding of the complex and often multifactorial etiology of taste dysfunction should enable the clinician to institute measures to minimize the impact of these disturbing changes.
authors.affiliation: University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina, Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville, NC 27835-6028, USA. tcomeau@pcmh.com
authors.forename: T B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Comeau
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Migas
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents