Testicular cancer patients undergoing cisplatin based chemotherapy exhibit temporary olfactory threshold scores changes

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ute Walliczek-Dworschak - , University of Marburg, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Volker Gudziol - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Claudia Mitzschke - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)
  • Michael Froehner - , Department of Urology (Author)
  • Thomas Hummel - , Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (Author)

Abstract

Testicular cancer is the most frequent malignant disease in young males between 15 and 35 years. Platinum based chemotherapy regimen is the therapy of choice in advanced disease. This treatment has also adverse effects caused by the cytostatic active substances, such as olfactory dysfunctions. The aim of this study was, therefore, to monitor olfactory function of testicular cancer patients during and 6 months after chemotherapy. A total of 17 patients (mean age 31.06 ± 10.26 years), which underwent chemotherapy (mean 2.47 cycles ± 0.5) were enrolled in this study. Odor threshold, discrimination and identification were assessed by means of the “Sniffin’ Sticks” prior to and on day 42, 90 and 180 after chemotherapy has been completed. Furthermore, patients’ ratings of olfactory function and depressive symptoms were evaluated. Threshold scores were significantly lower on day 90 (8.0 ± 2.51) compared to baseline (10.4 ± 2.20) (p = 0.014) and recovered almost completely on day 180 (9.65 ± 3.26). Odor discrimination and identification did not show significant changes during therapy. The decrease of the olfactory function during/immediately after chemotherapy was underlined by the subjectively perceived impaired olfactory function during this time. In addition almost every fourth patient presented with a depressed mood at the beginning of chemotherapy. Patients should be informed about possible transient olfactory impairment during/immediately after chemotherapy.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2813-2818
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean archives of oto-rhino-laryngology
Volume274
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 28429112
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/166326410

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Olfaction, Platinum based chemotherapy, Smell, Sniffin’ Sticks