Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Olfactory Dysfunction

Clinical Presentation and Management

• The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend that patients with chemotherapy-induced olfactory dysfunction be reassured that recovery is expected within 6 months 1, 2
• The European Association of Urology suggests that management of chemotherapy-induced olfactory dysfunction focuses on reassurance that recovery is expected within 6 months, and monitoring of nutritional status 3
• Approximately 20% of long-term survivors experience permanent peripheral sensory paresthesias, and ototoxicity (tinnitus and hearing loss) is persistent and attributed to cochlear damage, with no effective treatment 1, 2
• The European Society for Medical Oncology recommends that follow-up for testicular cancer patients focus on more serious late effects that impact mortality and morbidity, including cardiovascular disease, secondary malignancies, metabolic syndrome, and hypogonadism 3, 4

Long-term Survivorship Considerations

• The American Cancer Society and the European Association of Urology recommend that testicular cancer patients be screened for cardiovascular disease, which has a 5-fold increased mortality risk 3, 4
• The National Comprehensive Cancer Network suggests that testicular cancer patients be monitored for secondary malignancies, which have a 20% cumulative incidence at 35 years 3, 4
• The European Society for Medical Oncology recommends that testicular cancer patients be evaluated for metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism, which are common late effects of chemotherapy 3, 4