Attempts to prevent dysgeusia through the prophylactic use of zinc sulfate or amifostine have been of limited benefit .
Nutritional counseling may be helpful to some patients in minimizing the symptoms of dysgeusia .
Conclusions Dysgeusia is a common oral side effect of cancer therapy ( radiotherapy , chemotherapy , or combined modality therapy ) and often impacts negatively on quality of life .
From the current literature , there does not appear to be a predictable way of preventing or treating dysgeusia
Purpose The purpose was to review relevant scientific papers written since 1989 which focused on the prevalence and management of  dysgeusia as an oral side effect of cancer treatment .
Confocal microscopy of the peripheral gustatory system: comparison between healthy subjects and patients suffering from taste disorders during radiochemotherapy.
OBJECTIVES Laser-scanning microscopy ( LSM ) was used to compare taste buds and epithelia of fungiform papillae of healthy subjects with those of patients suffering from taste disorders during/after radiochemotherapy ( RCT ) . Aim of the study was to investigate effects responsible for taste loss at a microscopic level . STUDY DESIGN Prospect i ve study . METHODS Data from 12 healthy subjects ( mean age 52.4 , SD 9.5 years ) were compared with those of 12 patients ( mean age 54.7 , SD 8.5 years ) with head and neck cancer suffering from taste disorders during RCT . Four parameters from LSM were selected for analysis : 1 ) distance between the pore of the taste buds of fungiform papillae and the crest of the papillary vessels ; 2 ) epithelial cells of each taste bud at 34 mum ; 3 ) , cell density , and 4 ) area of the taste pore at 4 mum . These data were correlated to measures of gustatory sensitivity obtained with both the vali date d " taste strips " test kit and electrogustometry . RESULTS Patients complaining from taste disorders during RCT exhibited a significant decrease of taste function assessed with both natural and electric stimuli . In these patients , we found thicker epithelia and smaller areas of the taste pores compared with healthy subjects . In 30 % of those patients , no taste pores were detectable ; in deeper sections , however , normal taste buds were present . CONCLUSIONS In conclusion , in RCT patients with taste disorders , LSM indicates changes of epithelia of fungiform papilla but no changes of the taste bud structure . Damage of the chorda tympani nerve by scattered rays , direct or indirect mucotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents , and covering of taste pores by epithelial cells are likely reasons for taste loss during RCT
Attempts to prevent dysgeusia through the prophylactic use of zinc sulfate or amifostine have been of limited benefit .
Nutritional counseling may be helpful to some patients in minimizing the symptoms of dysgeusia .
Conclusions Dysgeusia is a common oral side effect of cancer therapy ( radiotherapy , chemotherapy , or combined modality therapy ) and often impacts negatively on quality of life .
From the current literature , there does not appear to be a predictable way of preventing or treating dysgeusia
Purpose The purpose was to review relevant scientific papers written since 1989 which focused on the prevalence and management of  dysgeusia as an oral side effect of cancer treatment .