Taste dysfunction symptoms experience in head and neck cancer patients undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy: a qualitative study

Exploring the experiences and perceptions of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing proton heavy ion therapy who develop taste dysfunction during treatment to improve taste dysfunction management for these patients.

A qualitative study design using a descriptive phenomenological approach.

Conducted individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews in the Head and Neck Tumor Department of the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center from February to April 2024.

The experiences of patients with HNC undergoing proton and heavy ion radiotherapy revealed four key themes: the diversity of taste dysfunction (including reduced or lost perception of sweet, sour, bitter, and other tastes, as well as altered and distorted taste of certain foods); the impact of taste dysfunction on quality of life (changes in dietary habits, malnutrition and weight fluctuations, mental health, and social impacts); strategies for coping with taste dysfunction (altering dietary habits and increasing the use of seasonings to compensate for taste reduction, seeking social support, and engaging in mental health activities to manage emotional distress); and expectations from the healthcare team (need for information and support, psychological support services, and monitoring and evaluation).

Patients with HNC undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy experience significant taste dysfunction. Therefore, during proton and heavy ion therapy for HNC, it is crucial to closely monitor and effectively manage taste dysfunction to enhance patients’ quality of life and treatment outcomes. Future research should further explore the mechanisms of taste dysfunction and develop interventions to better meet patients’ needs and improve the individualization of treatment.