Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients

Nicole C Schmitt; Brandi R Page

doi:10.1080/14992027.2017.1353710

Chemoradiation-induced hearing loss remains a major concern for head and neck cancer patients

Int J Audiol. 2018 Sep;57(sup4):S49-S54. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2017.1353710. Epub 2017 Jul 20.

Authors

Nicole C Schmitt^{1

2}, Brandi R Page³

Affiliations

¹ a Office of the Clinical Director , National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda , MD , USA.
² b Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA , and.
³ c Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Sciences , Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.

Abstract

Objective: Review of the literature regarding hearing loss in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiation.

Design: Studies in the literature are reviewed that pertain to hearing loss sustained in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin-based chemoradiation. Personal observations noted while treating these patients are also detailed.

Study sample: PubMed was searched for pertinent articles regarding hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Results: Studies on the incidence and severity of hearing loss in head and neck cancer patients are limited, but those studies suggest that the risk of hearing loss is greater with higher-dose regimens.

Conclusions: Newer cisplatin chemotherapy regimens using lower, weekly doses may be associated with a lower incidence and severity of hearing loss; however, large prospective studies are needed. Such information will be paramount to effective pre-treatment counselling of head and neck cancer patients.

Keywords: Conditions/pathology/disorders; adult or general hearing screening; demographics/epidemiology; hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
Review

MeSH terms

Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects*
Cisplatin / administration & dosage
Cisplatin / adverse effects*
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Monitoring / methods
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy*
Hearing / drug effects*
Hearing / radiation effects
Hearing Loss / chemically induced*
Hearing Loss / diagnosis
Hearing Loss / physiopathology
Hearing Loss / prevention & control
Hearing Tests
Humans
Radiotherapy Dosage
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / diagnosis
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / therapy*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Cisplatin

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding