Taste alterations in cancer patients undergoing oncological treatment: an integrative literature review

Abstract

Taste alterations, also known as dysgeusia, are frequent in cancer patients, especially those with head and neck neoplasms undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and can negatively impact food intake and nutritional status. Despite their high prevalence, this condition remains frequently undervalued in clinical practice. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the clinical characteristics, etiology, and nutritional repercussions of taste dysfunction in patients with neoplasms undergoing cancer treatment. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed (MEDLINE), SciELO, and LILACS databases, considering publications between January 2020 and January 2026. Original and review studies published in Portuguese and English that addressed taste alterations in adult patients with neoplasms were included. After applying the eligibility criteria, 20 studies comprised the final sample. The studies demonstrated a high frequency of taste dysfunction, ranging from 17% to 97%, with a greater occurrence among patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially those with head and neck neoplasms. These alterations presented a multifactorial etiology, associated with both the treatment and the disease itself, and are related to reduced food intake, changes in eating behavior, and an increased risk of malnutrition. It is concluded that taste dysfunction is a frequent and clinically relevant condition in the oncological context and should be recognized and incorporated into routine patient assessment. The need for standardization of assessment methods and the development of effective therapeutic strategies that contribute to the improvement of nutritional outcomes and quality of life is highlighted.