Effect of platinum-containing chemotherapy on olfactory, gustatory, and hearing function in ovarian cancer patients

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of platinum-containing chemotherapy on olfactory, gustatory, and hearing function in ovarian cancer patients

AU - Steinbach, Silke

AU - Hundt, Walter

AU - Schmalfeldt, Barbara

AU - Böhner, Christina

AU - Berktold, Sabina

AU - Wolf, Petra

AU - Harbeck, Nadia

PY - 2012/8

Y1 - 2012/8

N2 - PURPOSE: 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.

AB - PURPOSE: 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.

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Antineoplastic Agents

KW - Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols

KW - Carboplatin

KW - Female

KW - Hearing Disorders

KW - Humans

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Olfaction Disorders

KW - Ovarian Neoplasms

KW - Paclitaxel

KW - Quality of Life

KW - Taste Disorders

U2 - 10.1007/s00404-012-2307-5

DO - 10.1007/s00404-012-2307-5

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 22481492

VL - 286

SP - 473

EP - 480

JO - ARCH GYNECOL OBSTET

JF - ARCH GYNECOL OBSTET

SN - 0932-0067

IS - 2

ER -