Gustatory impairment in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure.


METHODS
Prospective, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation.


RESULTS
Relative to controls, patients had lower taste identification test scores for bitter, salty, and sour tastes. Sour taste also showed a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03). Taste pores were decreased in the irradiated group, with a significant group-by-time interaction (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Head and neck cancer patients have decreased taste function, and radiation adversely affected sour taste and taste pores.
Mirza
Natasha
N
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Natasha.mirza@uphs.upenn.edu
Machtay
Mitchell
M
Devine
Pamela A
PA
Troxel
Andrea
A
Abboud
Soo K
SK
Doty
Richard L
RL
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D013649:Taste / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013650:Taste Buds / Q000528:radiation effects; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors