Unusual visual and olfactory perceptions during radiotherapy sessions: an investigation of the organs responsible.

ABSTRACT: During radiotherapy sessions to treat brain tumors or head-and-neck cancers, some patients experience unusual visual and/or olfactory perceptions. This prospective study sought to answer two questions: (i) what proportion of patients experience these unpleasant sensations?, and (ii) which organs are responsible? Eligible patients had brain or near-orbital tumors treated by helical tomotherapy. All were aged 10 years or older, able to communicate, and interviewed by a radiation oncologist at least once weekly during radiation therapy. If they had experienced such sensations, they were encouraged to join the second phase of the study. The patients were asked to indicate, using a button, when a sensation commenced and ended. The recorded data were collated with the treatment log. Thirty-eight

SUBMITTER: Hara N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8273799 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature