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Updated: Sep 19, 2025
Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Platinum-induced ototoxicity and hearing impairment in children and adolescents
Alberto Romano1, Giorgio Attinà1, Palma Maurizi1,2
1Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Platinum compounds are vital for treating childhood cancers, but can cause hearing loss. Early hearing tests and collaboration are key to managing this side effect in cancer survivors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Platinum compounds are essential for treating paediatric solid tumours, improving survival rates.
- A significant side effect of platinum-based chemotherapy is ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss in paediatric cancer survivors.
- Ototoxicity negatively impacts the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of platinum compounds in paediatric oncology.
- To highlight the challenge of platinum-induced ototoxicity in children.
- To emphasize the importance of auditory monitoring and interdisciplinary care.
Main Methods:
- This narrative review synthesizes current literature on platinum compounds, paediatric malignancies, and ototoxicity.
- Key auditory assessment tools including audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response testing are discussed.
- The importance of collaborative care among paediatric oncologists, audiologists, and otolaryngologists is examined.
Main Results:
- Platinum compounds are highly effective against paediatric solid tumours.
- Platinum-induced ototoxicity is a common and significant clinical challenge.
- Early and regular auditory assessments are crucial for detecting hearing loss during treatment.
Conclusions:
- Despite their efficacy, platinum-based agents pose a substantial risk of ototoxicity in paediatric cancer patients.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing hearing loss and its long-term effects.
- Further research into ototoxicity prevention, monitoring, and treatment is vital for improving survivors' quality of life.
Abstract:
Platinum compounds play a crucial role in the treatment of solid tumours in paediatric patients, significantly improving survival rates. However, these treatments can result in hearing loss as a side-effect that can significantly impact the quality of life of young cancer survivors. Whilst the therapeutic benefits of platinum compounds in paediatric oncology are indisputable, addressing the challenge of ototoxicity remains a priority. Early and regular auditory function assessments, with tools such as audiometry, otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response testing, are critical during platinum-based therapy, playing key roles in the early detection of hearing loss. Interdisciplinary collaboration amongst paediatric oncologists, audiologists and otolaryngologists is essential for optimal management and to minimize the long-term consequences of hearing loss. This narrative review concludes that, whilst platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy in paediatric malignancies, platinum-induced ototoxicity remains a substantial clinical challenge. Continued research into prevention, monitoring and treatment strategies is essential for preserving hearing and improving the overall quality of life for survivors of childhood cancer.
