Olfactory Sensations During Radiation Sessions: A Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Neurology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Patients undergoing radiation therapy sometimes report olfactory hallucinations.
• This phenomenon, often perceived as an unpleasant smell, is typically transient and linked to radiation exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on the unusual phenomenon of smell perception during radiation therapy.
• To understand the characteristics and potential implications of this sensory experience in patients.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed using keywords related to radiation and olfactory sensations.
• Additional relevant studies were identified through the reference lists of the initial search results.

Main Results:

• The phenomenon was first documented in 1989, characterized by a pungent, unpleasant odor during radiation exposure.
• Smell perception is more frequent when olfactory regions are irradiated but can occur even when they are not.
• Associated visual and gustatory sensations have been reported, though the exact cause remains unknown.

Conclusions:

• Smell perception during radiation therapy is a recognized phenomenon, particularly in younger patients.
• The underlying cause of this sensory experience is not yet understood and warrants further research.
• Intervention may be necessary in some cases despite the generally low intensity of the sensation.