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Does zinc sulfate prevent therapy-induced taste alterations in head and neck cancer patients? Results of phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (N01C4).

Authors :
Halyard MY
Jatoi A
Sloan JA
Bearden JD 3rd
Vora SA
Atherton PJ
Perez EA
Soori G
Zalduendo AC
Zhu A
Stella PJ
Loprinzi CL
Source :
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics [Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys] 2007 Apr 01; Vol. 67 (5), pp. 1318-22.
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

Purpose: Taste alterations (dysgeusia) are well described in head and neck cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy (RT). Anecdotal observations and pilot studies have suggested zinc may mitigate these symptoms. This multi-institutional, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to provide definitive evidence of this mineral's palliative efficacy.<br />Methods and Materials: A total of 169 evaluable patients were randomly assigned to zinc sulfate 45 mg orally three times daily vs. placebo. Treatment was to be given throughout RT and for 1 month after. All patients were scheduled to receive > or =2,000 cGy of external beam RT to > or =30% of the oral cavity, were able to take oral medication, and had no oral thrush at study entry. Changes in taste were assessed using the previously validated Wickham questionnaire.<br />Results: At baseline, the groups were comparable in age, gender, and planned radiation dose (<6,000 vs. > or =6,000 cGy). Overall, 61 zinc-treated (73%) and 71 placebo-exposed (84%) patients described taste alterations during the first 2 months (p = 0.16). The median interval to taste alterations was 2.3 vs. 1.6 weeks in the zinc-treated and placebo-exposed patients, respectively (p = 0.09). The reported taste alterations included the absence of any taste (16%), bitter taste (8%), salty taste (5%), sour taste (4%), sweet taste (5%), and the presence of a metallic taste (10%), as well as other descriptions provided by a write in response (81%). Zinc sulfate did not favorably affect the interval to taste recovery.<br />Conclusion: Zinc sulfate, as prescribed in this trial, did not prevent taste alterations in cancer patients who were undergoing RT to the oral pharynx.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0360-3016
Volume :
67
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17394940
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.10.046