Prevalence and incidence of chemotherapy-induced taste alterations in adult cancer patients: a systematic review protocol

This systematic review focuses on the prevalence and incidence of taste alterations in adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy frequently causes changes in taste and smell, negatively impacting quality of life and potentially leading to malnutrition. Despite the high occurrence of these symptoms, up-to-date and detailed knowledge about their frequency and the specific chemotherapeutic agents involved is lacking. The review includes studies involving adult patients (aged 18–65) who have received at least one cycle of chemotherapy, with taste changes identified through objective assessments or patient-reported outcomes. Studies involving combined treatments (such as chemo-radiotherapy) are excluded. The review follows the JBI methodology and searches multiple databases. Specific taste alteration subtypes—such as ageusia, hypogeusia, and dysgeusia—are analyzed separately. By mapping variations in taste alterations by chemotherapy regimen, the study aims to support targeted nutritional interventions. This research addresses a gap that has remained since earlier reviews published in 2010 and 2012.

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