| Abstrakt: |
Introduction: Radiotherapy is widely used as a therapeutic option for head and neck cancer, however, the impact of its adverse reactions, such as changes in taste and smell, is remarkable. Objectives: To characterize the gustatory and olfactory sensibilities, before and after radiotherapy treatment in the head and neck. Methods: Observational, longitudinal study. Participants were 18 individuals with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, adults, both sexes, treated with radiotherapy, associated or not with chemotherapy. Participants were evaluated before radiotherapy, during therapy, weekly, and on the last day of treatment. Taste sensitivity was evaluated using 20 taste strips with different concentrations of each of the 5 basic flavors and 2 more neutral strips. For the threshold of smell, solutions of isopropanol were used, starting with the lowest concentration until the individual detects the stimulus. For the evaluation of salivary production, samples were collected without stimulation, expelling saliva in a sterile pot for a period of 15 minutes. Results: During and at the end of radiotherapy, 100% of the sample presented altered taste sensitivity. Of all the participants, 55.6% identified the lowest concentration of the isopropanol solution, for the others it was necessary to increase. Hyposalivation was noted during and after radiotherapy in 66.8% of participants. Conclusion: Changes in taste, smell and hyposalivation present in different severities during and after radiotherapy. The least identified flavors were sweet, salty and umami and the most preserved, acid and bitter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
