title: Effect of platinum-containing chemotherapy on olfactory, gustatory, and hearing function in ovarian cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer have a poor overall prognosis. Therefore, one of the main therapeutic aims after cytoreductive surgery for these patients is to identify, delay and relieve chemotherapy-induced side effects and optimise the quality of life, especially after first-line therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve ovarian cancer patients undergoing carboplatinum-containing chemotherapy were assessed using validated tests for olfactory, gustatory, and hearing functions before, during, immediately after, and 3 months after chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All chemosensory functions decreased during and after carboplatinum-containing chemotherapy, but recovered 3 months after treatment ended. For olfaction, this decrease was significant, affecting odour identification minimally, and odour threshold the most. For taste, the decrease was not significant, but could be observed in total scores and in each quality (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). For hearing, the decrease was not significant, but a recovery of the deep and middle frequencies was clearly evident 3 months after chemotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients must be informed about transient declines in chemosensory functions during chemotherapy. Symptomatic relief provided by the use of more spices, a small amount of glutamate, or additional flavouring might help to compensate for decreased functions during chemotherapy and increase patient quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Philipps University, Baldingerstrasse, 35033 Marburg, Germany. silkesteinbach@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steinbach
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hundt
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmalfeldt
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Böhner
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berktold
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel