Change in the sense of taste.

The change in the sense of taste is common during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
The change in the sense of taste (dyspepsia) is a common side effect of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the head and neck. The food seems to have lost the taste or the latter seems to be different than before treatment. Such perversions of taste are caused by damage to the taste buds, dry mouth, infection and dental problems. Patients treated with chemotherapy may feel an unpleasant taste in relation to the spread of the drug inside the mouth. The radiation produces a change in the tastes sweet, sour, bitter and salty. In most patients treated with chemotherapy and in some patients undergoing radiotherapy, taste returns to normal a few months after finishing treatment. However, for many patients treated with radical change is permanent. In others, the taste buds recovering from 6 to 8 weeks, or later, after radiation therapy. Supplementation with zinc sulfate contributes to the recovery of some patients.