Characterization of chemosensory alterations in advanced cancer reveals specific chemosensory phenotypes impacting dietary intake and quality of life.

Context: Taste and smell (chemosensory) alterations are common and distressing among advanced cancer patients, but their specific nature is poorly described and seldom linked to dietary intake. Details of altered chemosensory perception may help to explain food intake behaviors.

Objectives: Our goal was to characterize chemosensory alterations and their relationship with dietary intake and quality of life (QOL).