[The ototoxicity of the cytostatic drug carboplatin in patients with head-neck tumors].
The side effects of the anti-cancer drug carboplatin on the cochlea in 65 patients with head and neck cancer were examined in the present study. A possible dependence of ototoxicity on the patient's age, the effect of pre-existing audiometric changes and the carboplatin dose were investigated. A therapy-induced sensory hearing loss was found in 32% of the patients. The average hearing loss was 15 dB and primarily involved the frequency ranges from 4 to 8 kHz. The degree of the hearing defects incurred was not influenced by the patient's age or pre-existing hearing defects but depended on the carboplatin dose used. The severity of carboplatin cochlear ototoxicity was moderate, so that no patient suffered a lack of hearing that was of social significance.
Bauer
F P
FP
Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Klinik, Universitäts-Krankenhauses Eppendorf, Hamburg.
Westhofen
M
M
Kehrl
W
W
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001844:Bone Conduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D016190:Carboplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil