title: Metallic taste in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: IJpma
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Renken
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ter Horst
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: A K L
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reyners
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017671:Platinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017671:Platinum Compounds; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: Cancer patients; Chemotherapy; Metallic taste