The flavor of chemotherapy: exploring smell and taste function in children with cancer

Each year, around 600 children are diagnosed with cancer in the Netherlands. Up to 60% of the children suffer from changes in taste and this is experienced as one of the most bothersome side effects during treatment. It is assumed that in addition to changes in taste, changes in smell also occur and may compromise nutritional intake, but research in this area was lacking in children with cancer. The research described in this thesis shows that changes in smell and taste are very common but rather heterogeneous in its presentation. That is, smell and taste sensitivity can be either decreased or increased. And occasionally stuff smells or tastes completely different from before. In general, smell sensitivity appears to be higher during cancer treatment, especially in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In contrast, taste function appears to be lower during chemotherapy with taste loss being more common in children with lymphomas or solid tumors. Regardless of the direction, smell and taste changes are very bothersome and affect the quality of life in children with cancer.