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Long‐term hearing loss after chemoradiation in patients with head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Theunissen Eleonoor A. R.,
Zuur Charlotte L.,
Bosma Sophie C. J.,
LopezYurda Marta,
Hauptmann Michael,
Baan Sieberen,
Boer Jan Paul,
Molen Lisette,
Rasch Coen R. N.,
Dreschler Wouter A.,
Balm Alfons J. M.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.24802
Subject(s) - decibel , medicine , head and neck cancer , hearing loss , audiometry , pure tone audiometry , bone conduction , concomitant , audiology , cancer , surgery
Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to determine whether concomitant chemoradiation (CCRT)‐induced hearing loss is progressive over time or not. Study Design Long‐term (LT) follow‐up study. Methods Between 1999 and 2004, 158 patients with head and neck cancer were treated with intravenous (IV) CCRT (n = 80) or intraarterial CCRT (n = 78). Audiometry was performed before, short‐term (ST), and LT posttreatment. Differences in hearing were assessed with a multivariable linear regression analysis, incorporating the effect of aging. Results Long‐term audiometry (median 4.5 years) was available in 67 patients (42%). At ST follow‐up, a deterioration of 21.6 decibel was seen compared to baseline at pure‐tone averages (PTA) 8–10‐12.5 kHz. At LT follow‐up, this deterioration further increased with 5 decibel ( P = 0.005). Only in CCRT‐IV patients was a significant progressive treatment‐induced hearing loss seen, at PTA 8–10‐12.5 kHz ( P = 0.005), PTA 1–2‐4 kHz air conduction ( P = 0.014), and PTA 0.5‐1‐2 kHz bone conduction ( P = 0.045). Conclusion CCRT‐induced hearing impairment was progressive over time, especially in higher frequencies and only in CCRT‐IV patients, with a modest deterioration of 5 decibel 4.5 years post‐treatment. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 124:2720–2725, 2014