ArticleStrahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al]2023
Abnormal visual and olfactory sensations during radiation therapy: a prospective study.
Article in Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al], 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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5 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Radiotherapy and Smell Function in Head and Neck Cancer: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial.JAMA network open · 2025Trial
- From child and parent needs to supportive interventions for proton therapy without anaesthesia: A qualitative study.Technical innovations & patient support in radiation oncology · 2026Article
- Stimulating and Recording Brain Signals in an Olfactory Context: Non-Canonical Brain Structures May Contribute to Olfactory Processing - A Case Series.Brain topography · 2026Article
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5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
purposePatients sometimes report phosphene and phantosmia during radiation therapy (RT). However, the detail features and related factors are not well understood. Our prospective study aimed to investigate the characteristics of phantosmias and phosphenes, to identify factors that influence the occurrence, intensity and hedonic (pleasantness/unpleasantness) ratings of such sensations during RT.
methodsWe included a total of 106 patients (37 women), who underwent RT in regions of the brain, ear, nose, throat (ENT), and other areas of the body for a duration of 43 ± 5 days. Medical history and treatment parameters were collected in a structured medical interview. Olfactory function was measured using the Sniffin' Stick Odor Identification Test at baseline. Phantosmia and phosphene were recorded weekly based on a self-report questionnaire.
resultsThere were 37% of the patients experiencing phantosmias, 51% experiencing phosphenes, and 29% simultaneously experiencing both sensations. Phosphenes were typically perceived as a flashily blue, white and/or purple light, phantosmias were typically perceived as a chemical-like, metallic or burnt smell. Younger age (F = 7.81, p < 0.01), radiation in the brain region (χ
conclusionsPhantosmias and phosphenes are common during RT. The treatment settings and individual arousal level influence the occurrence, intensity and hedonic of such abnormal sensations. Phantosmias and phosphenes may involve more central neural than peripheral mechanism, and they could be elicited with activation of areas that are not regarded to be part of the olfactory or visual network.
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