Dysgeusia is an alteration in taste and is associated with ageusia, which is the complete lack of taste, and hypogeusia, which is the decrease in taste sensitivity. Although it is one of the most common distressing side effect along with smell changes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss noted in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, still enough attention is not given in terms of prior information to the patient, care during the chemotherapy regimen and after effects. Only 17% of patients receive information before initiating chemotherapy and it is so bothersome that patients’ rank it second to alopecia. Dysgeusia has a psychosomatic aspect showing complex subjective symptoms. As foods have important symbolic, cultural and religious values beyond nutritional aspects, dysgeusia has shown to affect the psychosocial aspect of life, leading to low quality of life and increased distress. Taste disorders affect food selection and contribute to poor meal intake, thus playing a significant role in the etiology of anorexia in cancer patients.
Management of Chemotherapy Induced Dysgeusia: An Important Step Towards Nutritional Rehabilitation: Ashita Ritesh Kalaskar and Ritesh Kalaskar
Last date updated on March, 2025