Oral Cryotherapy to Decrease Taste Changes in Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Taxane Chemotherapy

This clinical trial studies whether cooling the mouth with popsicles (oral cryotherapy) decreases taste changes in prostate cancer patients receiving taxane chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy can experience a variety of side effects. Changes in the taste of food is a frequent complaint of patients receiving chemotherapy and is underreported as patients may think that it is unavoidable and not manageable. Taxane-based chemotherapy is thought to be associated with the most taste changes of any chemotherapy. Taste buds contain a specific type of cell, called gustatory cells, that are located on the surface of the tongue, the soft palate (back, muscular part of the roof of the mouth), and the upper part of the esophagus. These cells consist of five basic tastes: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami (or savory). Oral cryotherapy involves cooling the mouth with ice chips, popsicles, or other cold drinks for several minutes before, during, and after chemotherapy causing the tiny blood vessels in the protective linings inside the mouth to narrow. It is thought that this narrowing will reduce blood flow to the cooled areas, thereby decreasing the amount of chemotherapy that is delivered to the fragile protective linings inside the mouth that causes the taste changes. This may be an effective way to decrease taste changes in prostate cancer patients receiving taxane chemotherapy.

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