A Systematic Review of Smell Alterations afterRadiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Publication date: Available online 16 February 2017
Source:Cancer Treatment Reviews
Author(s): M. Alvarez-Camacho, S. Gonella, S. Campbell, R.A. Scrimger, W.V. Wismer
PurposeTo review the current knowledge on radiotherapy associated olfactory dysfunction among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.MethodsA systematic review of RT-related olfactory dysfunction in HNC was performed. Searches were conducted in several databases (Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, CAB Abstracts, SCOPUS, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, PROSPERO,ALLEBM Reviews - Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA, and NHSEED). Publications investigating olfactory dysfunction as an explicit side effect of Radiotherapy (RT, or RT-chemo or RT-monoclonal antibodies) were eligible, no limits were applied.ResultsTwo hundred and twenty nine papers were screened and 23 met inclusion criteria.ConclusionsOdor detection, identification and discrimination are olfactory functions impaired after RT for HNC. An RT dose-effect has been calculated for odor identification and odor discrimination. There were no studies of the effect of olfactory dysfunction on weight loss or energy intake among RT-treated HNC patients. To improve our understanding of RT associated olfactory dysfunction among HNC patients, future studies should include a multi-dimensional assessment of olfactory function in a longitudinal design, track other conditions affecting olfaction, assessretronasalolfactory perception, adopt validated self-report tools and explore the impact of olfactory dysfunction on the eating experience of HNC patients.

Graphical abstract

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