Taste changes
Change in the sense of taste (dysgeusia) is a common side effect of both chemotherapy and head and/or neck radiotherapy: foods may have no taste or may not taste as they did before therapy.
Cancer patients often complain of changes in their sense of taste when undergoing chemotherapy. Some experience a bitter or metallic taste sensation, a dislike of some foods can occur, especially for meat or other high-protein foods whilst the foods will have less taste. Chemotherapy patients may experience unpleasant taste related to the spread of the drug within the mouth. Radiotherapy, instead, may cause a change in sweet, sour, bitter, and salty tastes. Dental problems also can change the way foods taste.
These taste changes are caused by damage to the taste buds, dry mouth, infection, and/or dental problems, while the unpleasant taste feeling, that is frequent in chemotherapy, can be related to the spread of the drug within the mouth.
Changes in tastes may result in food avoidance, weight loss, and anorexia.
In most patients receiving chemotherapy and in some patients undergoing radiotherapy, taste returns to normal a few months after therapy ends and the taste buds may recover 6 to 8 weeks, or later, after radiotherapy ends. For other radiotherapy patients, however, the change is permanent.
Source: National Cancer Institute
