Effects of smoking cessation on taste function in heavy smokers undergoing hemiglossectomy for tongue squamous cell carcinoma

TL;DR

Quitting smoking helps heavy smokers who had tongue cancer surgery recover their sense of taste more effectively than those who continue smoking.

Contribution

This study shows that smoking cessation significantly improves taste recovery after tongue cancer surgery.

Findings

Smoking cessation led to significant taste recovery, with scores nearing control values at 12 months.

Persistent smoking caused progressive taste decline, with scores dropping from 6.8 at 3 months to 4.6 at 12 months.

Adjuvant radiotherapy worsened short-term taste deficits but had no long-term impact.

Abstract

Smokers with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue may be particularly prone to experience multifactorial gustatory dysfunction. This study investigates the effects of heavy smoking on taste perception in patients undergoing glossectomy type IIIa (i.e. non-compartment hemiglossectomy) for SCC of the tongue.

Gustatory function was assessed in 30 heavy-smoking patients with SCC of the tongue using a validated taste strips test. Psychophysical evaluations were conducted at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-surgery.

At baseline, mean taste strip scores (TSS [SD]) were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (8.7 [1.9] vs. 11.6 [2.1], P <.001). Post-treatment, TSS in patients declined to 7.2 [1.0] at 3 months, followed by a gradual recovery to 7.6 [2.3] at 6 months, 8.4 [2.8] at nine months, and 8.9 [3.9] at 12 months. Patients who quit smoking achieved significant recovery, with TSS improving from 7.4 [0.9] at three months to 11.8 [1.4] at twelve months, nearing control values. In contrast, smokers experienced a progressive decline, from 6.8 [1.2] at three months to 4.6 [1.6] at twelve months (P <.001). Adjuvant radiotherapy exacerbated short-term deficits (TSS of 6.6 [1.0] vs. 7.5 [0.9], P =.027 at three months) but showed no significant long-term impact.

Persistent smoking worsens taste perception and impedes recovery in patients undergoing glossectomy type IIIa for tongue SCC. Smoking cessation significantly enhances sensory restoration, underscoring its importance in post-treatment care.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00405-025-09590-8.

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