New insights into cisplatin ototoxicity

Platinum-containing chemotherapy is often used to treat children with cancer. Although it is a very effective medication, unfortunately, it causes permanent hearing loss in more than one-half of the children who receive it. In this issue of Cancer, an article by Meijer and colleagues shows that very young children are affected early on in their treatment and suggests that the younger the child the more frequently their hearing should be tested during treatment. This proposal is a real challenge for oncology centers and families practically, emotionally, and socioeconomically. The findings are provocative but equally stimulating and encouraging; hopefully, they will lead to a new standard of multidisciplinary care for children receiving platinum chemotherapy.