Chemoterapy induced taste and smell changes in pediatric cancer patients

OBJECTIVES We aimed to find the rate and the properties of chemotherapy induced taste and smell changes in pediatric cancer patients. METHODS Our study group consisted of 66 pediatric cancer patients whose families accepted to participate. They were asked a 18-item-questionnaire. RESULTS Taste and smell changes were detected in 56 patients (84%) and 61 patients (92%) respectively with no difference in boys and girls. The rate of taste changes of patients <= 10 years old was 72% whereas for the older patients, this rate was 91%. The most frequent complaint was bitter taste change in all age groups. There was no difference between their chemotherapy regimens. CONCLUSION It was shown that changes in taste and smell in children were as frequent as in adults. It was ignored by most of the patients but some of them were trying to take some corrective measures.