Alterations in taste sensation: a case presentation of a patient with end-stage pancreatic cancer

Cancer Nurs. 2001 Apr;24(2):149-55. doi: 10.1097/00002820-200104000-00011.

Abstract

Alterations in taste can occur as a result of cancer, cancer treatment, and from a variety of other causes. Cancer patients frequently experience taste alterations, which often go undetected in the clinical setting. This case presentation depicts a 90-year-old client with end-stage pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment with gemcitabine. The symptomatology of taste changes is described. Etiology and rationale for taste changes is presented for the cancer patient population, and for the general population. Review of the cancer literature, research instruments, and goals/outcomes are discussed. The author determined that interventional studies are lacking, and research is needed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects*
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Dysgeusia / chemically induced*
  • Dysgeusia / nursing
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / complications*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / nursing
  • Taste Disorders / etiology*
  • Taste Disorders / nursing

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Gemcitabine