Clinical trial · Observational
An Investigation Into Taste Problems Associated With Xerostomia in Patients With Advanced Cancer
NCT06287294CI-TRIAL-00080550recruitingClinicalTrials.gov clinicaltrialsProvenance
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
Taste problems and xerostomia (dry mouth) are common among patients with advanced cancer. These symptoms can affect the pleasure of eating and drinking, reduce dietary intake, cause low mood, and a lower quality of life. This study will explore the relationship between dry mouth and taste problems in patients with advanced cancer.
Conditions
Conditions (3)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neoplasms | Neoplasm | ONTOLOGY_EXACT | 0.90 |
| Taste, Altered | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Xerostomia | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (0)
Data not yet available
No intervention recorded.
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (0)
[]Primary outcomes (5)
- measure
- To measure the prevalence of taste problems in patients with advanced cancer with a dry mouth using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire)
- timeFrame
- December 2025
- description
- To measure the prevalence of taste problems in patients with advanced cancer who have a dry mouth using the validated Oral Symptom Assessment Scale, which is a 20 question questionnaire which asks about the presence of symptoms in the previous week, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by the symptoms.
- measure
- To identify an association of any other oral symptoms present in patients with taste problems and dry mouth who have advanced cancer using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire)
- timeFrame
- December 2025
- description
- To identify an association of any other oral symptoms present in patients with taste problems and dry mouth who have advanced cancer using the Oral Symptom Assessment Scale (questionnaire) which asks about the presence of symptoms in the previous week, the frequency of the symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, and the amount of distress/"bothersomeness" caused by the symptoms.
- measure
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age * Diagnosis of locally advanced or metastatic cancer * Referred to palliative care/oncology services * Dry mouth rated 'moderate' or worse over previous 2-week period * Taste problems rated 'moderate' or worse over previous 2-week period * Good understanding of English Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive impairment (unable to provide consent / complete questionnaire) * Dry mouth precedes cancer diagnosis. * Taste problems precedes cancer diagnosis. * Head and neck surgery * Head and neck radiotherapy * Salivary gland disorders (e.g., Sjogren's Syndrome) * In the 'Deteriorating' or 'Terminal' Phase of illness
References
Publications (12)
- BACKGROUNDHannon M, Shaw A, Connolly M, Davies A. Taste disturbance in patients with advanced cancer: a scoping review of clinical features and complications. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Sep 6;31(10):562. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-08012-x. PMID 37672147
- BACKGROUNDDavies A, Buchanan A, Todd J, Gregory A, Batsari KM. Oral symptoms in patients with advanced cancer: an observational study using a novel oral symptom assessment scale. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Aug;29(8):4357-4364. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05903-1. Epub 2021 Jan 8. PMID 33416995
- BACKGROUNDMcGettigan N, Dhuibhir PU, Barrett M, Sui J, Balding L, Higgins S, O'Leary N, Kennedy A, Walsh D. Subjective and Objective Assessment of Taste and Smell Sensation in Advanced Cancer. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2019 Aug;36(8):688-696. doi: 10.1177/1049909119832836. Epub 2019 Mar 3. PMID 30827119
- BACKGROUNDTwycross RG, Lack SA (1986) Control of alimentary symptoms in far advanced cancer. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh
- BACKGROUNDKirkova J, Walsh D, Rybicki L, Davis MP, Aktas A, Tao Jin, Homsi J. Symptom severity and distress in advanced cancer. Palliat Med. 2010 Apr;24(3):330-9. doi: 10.1177/0269216309356380. Epub 2009 Dec 16. PMID 20015920
- BACKGROUNDWebber K, Davies AN, Leach C, Waghorn M. Symptom prevalence and severity in palliative cancer medicine. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2023 Dec 7;13(e2):e270-e272. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002357. PMID 34130997
- BACKGROUNDHutton JL, Baracos VE, Wismer WV. Chemosensory dysfunction is a primary factor in the evolution of declining nutritional status and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2007 Feb;33(2):156-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2006.07.017. PMID 17280921
- Rydholm M, Strang P. Physical and psychosocial impact of xerostomia in palliative cancer care: a qualitative interview study. Int J Palliat Nurs. 2002 Jul;8(7):318-23. doi: 10.12968/ijpn.2002.8.7.10671.