Exploring the experience of altered taste during radiotherapy v4
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the extent and experience of altered taste during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer; a mixed methods study.
IRAS ID
224517
Contact name
Jane A Mathlin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
The extent and experience of taste changes as a side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.\nRadiotherapy for head and neck cancer causes side effects that make the treatment difficult to tolerate, including sore mouth or throat, thick saliva, dry mouth, altered taste and difficulty swallowing. Improved radiotherapy techniques and better symptom relief have helped to reduce side effects. Taste changes have not improved, with some patients stopping eating despite not having swallowing problems, leading to malnutrition which requires hospital admission for tube feeding so that they can complete their treatment.\nThis study will recruit patients undergoing radical radiotherapy who are at risk of developing taste changes. Taste buds are widespread throughout the mouth and throat, so patients having radiotherapy to any of these regions will be included. They will be asked to complete the MD Anderson symptom inventory-head and neck module (MDASI-HN) on day 3 of radiotherapy. Those that return the questionnaire will be asked to complete the MDASI-HN again in week 4 as it is known that this is when taste changes reach their peak. Those scoring greater than 5 will be asked to complete additional questions about the nature of their taste changes. Finally, they will be asked to take part in an interview to discuss the impact of altered taste and how they coped with it. The interview will take place between weeks 5-7 of radiotherapy.\nThe study will be undertaken in the radiotherapy department at Velindre Hospital. Approximately 250 patients a year are treated for head and neck cancer. The study will run over six months with approximately 65 patients for the questionnaire and 30 patients being recruited for interview.\nData will be analysed with the aim of producing a leaflet to inform future patients and the multidisciplinary team about the impact of taste changes. \n
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
17/WA/0309
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion