Pilot Study of Subjective Taste and Smell Changes in Treatment-Naive Patients with Solid Tumors (S765)

•Describe the prevalence, severity and characteristics of taste and smell changes in treatment-naive patients with solid tumors.•Examine the association between taste and smell changes, malnutrition risk and other symptoms in cancer. Taste and smell changes (TSCs) have been mostly studied in cancer post-chemotherapy (CT) or radiotherapy (RT) and in head and neck (H&N) tumors. They may present as part of a symptom cluster along with anorexia, early satiety and weight loss, which can negatively impact nutritional status. The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence, severity and characteristics of TSCs and their relationship with co-occurring symptoms in non-H&N solid tumors before CT or RT. A prospective observational study was conducted. Forty consecutive pre-treatment cancer referrals who attended radiation oncology outpatients over a six-week period were recruited. Data on TSCs, symptoms, dietary intake and nutritional status were obtained by the Taste and Smell Survey and the abridged Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (abPG-SGA). Weight and height were measured, and BMI was calculated. SPSS® was used for statistical analysis. Two-sided P values <0.05 were statistically significant. Most were newly diagnosed (70%; n=28). Nineteen (48%) reported TSCs. Nine noted stronger sweet taste, and seven noted stronger salt taste. Of those, four reported stronger and four weaker odor sensation. Those deemed at nutritional risk by the abPG-SGA had more TSCs (P=0.057). TSCs were significantly associated with dry mouth (P<0.01), early satiety (P<0.05), and fatigue (P<0.05). 1.TSCs preceded CT or RT in almost half of treatment-naive patients with solid tumors, notable stronger sweet and salt tastes.2.Most of those at nutritional risk reported TSCs.3.TSCs were significantly associated with other symptoms.4.Future research and clinical guidelines, with a common terminology for assessment, diagnosis and management of cancer TSCs are needed.