Photobiomodulation therapy prevents dysgeusia chemotherapy induced in breast cancer women treated with doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide: a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Dysgeusia in Patients with Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy—A Narrative Review

“…Moreover, taste alterations may adversely impact the daily habits and social lives of cancer patients [ 54 ], with a highly negative influence on QoL and self-esteem in BC patients [ 49 ]. Several studies reported a worsening of QoL as a consequence of CT-related taste and smell alterations in BC patients [ 3 , 11 , 13 , 16 , 22 , 30 , 53 , 55 , 56 ]. The overall impact of CT-related dysgeusia on QoL is hard to be determined because items from questionnaires generally include different adverse effects, such as xerostomia, odynophagia, dysphagia, and emotional and social aspects, making it difficult to disentangle the effects specifically linked to the alteration of taste [ 5 ].…”

“…Very little data are available on the use of PBMT for the management of dysgeusia. A phase II, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of PBMT in addition to CT with doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide in 112 BC patients [ 3 ]. The patients randomly received PBMT ( n = 56) or placebo (simulated PBMT; n = 56).…”

“…The patients randomly received PBMT ( n = 56) or placebo (simulated PBMT; n = 56). PBMT-treated patients showed significant less objective (by taste scores) and subjective (by questionnaires) taste loss ( p < 0.05), as well as significantly lower incidence of cachexia, anorexia, diarrhea, oral mucositis, and vomiting, as well as a higher QoL [ 3 ]. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of PBMT toward dysgeusia was hypothesized [ 3 ].…”

“…PBMT-treated patients showed significant less objective (by taste scores) and subjective (by questionnaires) taste loss ( p < 0.05), as well as significantly lower incidence of cachexia, anorexia, diarrhea, oral mucositis, and vomiting, as well as a higher QoL [ 3 ]. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of PBMT toward dysgeusia was hypothesized [ 3 ]. A narrative review of the literature on the effects of PBMT as a supportive care to manage side effects of therapies in BC patients reported a beneficial effect on oral mucositis; that is, the inflammation of the oral mucosa caused by chemo and/or radiotherapy occurring in 20–40% of the patients undergoing conventional CT [ 89 ].…”

“…Depending on the stage of BC, treatment strategies include different chemotherapeutic agents (both alone or in combination), radiation, surgery, or hormonal therapies [ 2 ]. Chemotherapy (CT) can be used before (neoadjuvant CT) or after (adjuvant CT) the surgical procedure, during the maintenance phase, or even in palliative context in patients with metastatic tumors [ 3 ]. CT is often accompanied by side effects, including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, xerostomia, dysphagia, dysosmia, and dysgeusia [ 4 ].…”