title: Neuro- and ototoxicity of high-dose carboplatin treatment in poor prognosis ovarian cancer patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematopoietic toxicity of high-dose carboplatin (HD-CBDCA) chemotherapy can be managed effectively with autologous blood cell support, but no conclusive data are available on its neuro- and ototoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the neuro- and ototoxicity of HD-CBDCA in 10 patients affected by advanced ovarian cancer. HD-CBDCA was delivered as 24-hour continuous infusion or as 5-day schedules. Each patient underwent an extended clinical and instrumental neurological and otological evaluation before, during and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After HD-CBDCA only 1 patient had a clinically-evident peripheral neuropathy, while 3 additional patients had only distal paresthesias. Neurophysiological examination evidenced mild, although diffuse, sensory nerve impairment. Motor nerve impairment was also occasionally observed. All the sensory and motor pathological changes had a favorable course during the follow-up period. Ototoxicity was more severe than neurotoxicity and, in one case it was dose-limiting and audiologic impairment tended to remain constant also in the follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HD-CBDCA treatment can be tolerated by most of the patients, but careful monitoring of neuro- and, especially, ototoxicity should be planned.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica, Istituto di Scienze Biomediche S. Gerardo, Università di Milano, Monza, Italia. guido.cavaletti@unimi.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavaletti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogliun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zincone
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marzorati
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Melzi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frattola
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marzola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonazzi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cantù
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiari
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bregni
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gianni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin