[Incidence of taste disorder associated with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on an ambulatory basis].
Taste disorders are a common complaint among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy on an ambulatory basis. We conducted a survey on the incidence of such disorders among 74 patients, and 45.95% (34 of 74 patients) developed taste disorders. When stratified by medication into a regimen including 5-FU and one including taxanes, taste disorders were found in 59.0% (23 of 39 patients) of the former and 60.0% (9 of 15) of the latter. The survey also included the effects of taste disorders on patients appetites. Both regimens led to reduced appetite in a number of these patients (39.1% and 44.4%, respectively). Among patients on the 5-FU-containing regimen, the FOLFOX/FOLFIRI therapy was found to be responsible for loss of appetite. Regarding change in tastes, many patients stated that the medication dulled their taste sensation except for bitterness; their capacity to sense intensity of taste remained unchanged. It was found that acute taste disorders develop frequently among patients on a high dosage of 5-FU or a taxane-containing regimen.
Sugawara
Shiho
S
Dept. of Pharmacy, Kariya Toyota General Hospital.
Takimoto
Norio
N
Iida
Akiko
A
Mori
Kenji
K
Sugiura
Mitsuru
M
Yamamura
Keiko
K
Adachi
Mamoru
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D043823:Taxoids; D005472:Fluorouracil