Cisplatin ototoxicity in children: implications for primary care providers

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Jessica Helt-Cameron1, Patricia Jackson Allen

  • 1Yale University, School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA.

Pediatric Nursing
|May 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Cisplatin chemotherapy can cause long-term sensorineural hearing loss in children with cancer. This review discusses cisplatin ototoxicity, its mechanisms, and implications for monitoring and managing hearing loss in survivors.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Ototoxicology
  • Clinical Audiology

Background:

  • Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapy agent in pediatric oncology.
  • Ototoxicity, specifically sensorineural hearing loss, is a significant long-term side effect of cisplatin treatment in children.
  • Understanding the characteristics and mechanisms of cisplatin-induced hearing loss is crucial for survivor care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the long-term sensorineural hearing loss associated with cisplatin chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients.
  • To discuss the characteristics, prevalence, and mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity.
  • To outline primary care implications for monitoring, supporting, and managing hearing impairments in childhood cancer survivors.

Main Methods:

  • An integrative literature review was conducted.
  • Searches were performed across CINAHL, PsychInfo, Medline, Google Scholar, and Google databases.
  • Research focused on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in the pediatric population.

Main Results:

  • Cisplatin chemotherapy is linked to long-term sensorineural hearing loss in children.
  • The review details the varied characteristics and prevalence of this hearing impairment.
  • Underlying mechanisms contributing to cisplatin ototoxicity are explored.

Conclusions:

  • Early and consistent hearing monitoring is essential for childhood cancer survivors treated with cisplatin.
  • Primary care providers play a vital role in managing hearing loss and supporting affected families.
  • Education regarding the significance of hearing loss and available management strategies is critical.

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