Cisplatin-based chemotherapy: Add high-frequency audiometry in the regimen

Area of Science:

• Ototoxicity research
• Chemotherapy side effects
• Audiology

Background:

• Cisplatin chemotherapy is associated with ototoxicity, manifesting as hearing loss and tinnitus.
• Significant interindividual variability exists in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, making it difficult to predict susceptible patients.
• Current methods cannot identify individuals at risk before treatment initiation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of varying cisplatin doses on hearing function.
• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of hearing loss and tinnitus in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, randomized, and observational study design.
• Inclusion of 57 patients undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
• Stratification into three groups based on cisplatin dosage over a 3-week period.

Main Results:

• Seven patients reported subjective hearing loss, and six experienced tinnitus during chemotherapy.
• Hearing loss was sensorineural, dose-dependent, symmetrical, bilateral, and irreversible.
• High-frequency hearing was affected first, indicating a specific pattern of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

Conclusions:

• High-frequency audiometry is essential for monitoring cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
• A standardized protocol incorporating high-frequency audiometry should be implemented in cisplatin chemotherapy regimens.
• Early detection and intervention strategies are needed to mitigate hearing damage.