Effect of platinum-containing chemotherapy on olfactory, gustatory, and hearing function in ovarian cancer patients

Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer have a poor overall prognosis. Therefore, one of the main therapeutic aims after cytoreductive surgery for these patients is to identify, delay and relieve chemotherapy-induced side effects and optimise the quality of life, especially after first-line therapy.

Twelve ovarian cancer patients undergoing carboplatinum-containing chemotherapy were assessed using validated tests for olfactory, gustatory, and hearing functions before, during, immediately after, and 3 months after chemotherapy.

All chemosensory functions decreased during and after carboplatinum-containing chemotherapy, but recovered 3 months after treatment ended. For olfaction, this decrease was significant, affecting odour identification minimally, and odour threshold the most. For taste, the decrease was not significant, but could be observed in total scores and in each quality (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). For hearing, the decrease was not significant, but a recovery of the deep and middle frequencies was clearly evident 3 months after chemotherapy.

Patients must be informed about transient declines in chemosensory functions during chemotherapy. Symptomatic relief provided by the use of more spices, a small amount of glutamate, or additional flavouring might help to compensate for decreased functions during chemotherapy and increase patient quality of life.