Research progress on clinical manifestations and mechanism of radiation-induced taste dysfunction in head and neck cancers
Li Zixia1, Peng Xingchen2, Xu Xin1
1State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; 2Department of Targeting Therapy and Immunology, Cancer center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610044, China
Abstract：Taste is a critical sensory function for human as it supports sustenance and alerts the body to toxins. Taste dysfunction is a common side effect of radiotherapy for the head and neck cancers, which is often accompanied by oral mucositis in the early stage. It is associated with anorexia, anxiety and depression, leading to declined quality of life and treatment tolerance. The incidence of radiation-induced taste dysfunction is high, and its clinical manifestations include increased taste threshold, tastelessness, and persistent bitter, sour or metallic taste, which exert significant effect upon the quality of life. At present, effective therapeutic measures for radiation-induced taste dysfunction are still lacking. In this article, research progresses on clinical characteristics and the potential mechanisms of radiation-induced taste dysfunction were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the mechanism, prevention and treatment for taste dysfunction.
Li Zixia,Peng Xingchen,Xu Xin. Research progress on clinical manifestations and mechanism of radiation-induced taste dysfunction in head and neck cancers[J]. Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology, 2023, 32(6): 557-561.
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