Analysis of predictors of taste impairment in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17233
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nakajima Suzuki Aya (中嶋綾) 京都大学, 医学研究科, 助教 (60826030)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌 / 放射線治療 / 味覚障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Forty patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radical intensity-modulated radiation therapy were evaluated for subjective and objective taste impairment using a QOL questionnaire and taste tests (sweet, salt, acid, bitter, and umami) before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after completion. The proportion of patients with subjective and objective taste impairment 1 month after treatment was 83% and 60%, respectively. Among the five taste qualities, the most frequent was a decrease in umami, and a correlation was found between the QOL scales (Global health status/QOL and Appetite loss) and a decrease in umami. No significant association was found between the mean dose to organs with taste buds (tongue, palate, supraglottis, supra- and inferior pharynx) and taste impairment.

Free Research Field

放射線腫瘍学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

味覚障害は頭頸部癌患者に対する放射線治療後の副作用の一つであり、治療後の患者のQOLを大きく損なう。第５の味覚であるうま味は日本人において特に重要と考えられるが、これまでうま味に関する報告は少なかった。本研究では、味覚のうちうま味の障害が最も顕著であり、QOLとの相関があること、さらに患者の自覚のないうま味障害も多く存在することがわかった。この知見が放射線治療後の患者のQOL向上や食事の工夫に応用できる可能性がある。一方で、正常臓器の線量と味覚障害との関連は本研究では明らかにならなかった。味覚障害を低減する照射方法の開発は今後の課題である。