Radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy affect the sense of taste and smell. This may further cause loss of appetite and weight loss and even malnutrition. All these affect the quality of life.
Cancer and cancer treatment affect the sense of taste and smell. Many cancer patients suffer from taste and smell changes as a side effect of cancer itself or cancer treatment.
Changes in taste and smell may result in weight loss. The given sign and symptoms usually go away after the treatment is complete. In some situations, the problem may last for a long time.
Some of the sign and symptoms of taste and smell changes are –
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy on the head or neck adversely affects the taste buds. It changes the sense of taste, smell, and the way you feel food.
Chemotherapy
The therapy kills or slows the growth of cancer cells. Along with cancer cells, healthy cells of taste and smell are also damaged.
Surgery
Surgery of the mouth and nose affects the change in taste and smell in cancer patients.
Ways to manage taste and smell changes in cancer patients
There is no specific solution for problems related to change in taste and smell in cancer patients. However, some given tips below can help manage the problem related to change in taste and smell.
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