Auditory effects after organ preservation protocol for laryngeal/hypopharyngeal carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of hearing loss after concomitant radiochemotherapy in patients enrolled in a larynx preservation protocol.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Consecutive patients treated in a tertiary cancer center hospital between 2001 and 2002.


METHODS
Eligible subjects included patients prospectively enrolled in an organ preservation protocol based on concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (cisplatin and paclitaxel).


METHODS
Descriptive analysis of the results of audiologic evaluations, including pure-tone audiometry and immitance audiometry, which were performed prior to and 8 months after treatment. Change in hearing sensitivity was computed relative to baseline measures. Criteria to indicate hearing decrease after the treatment were defined as either a 20-dB decrease at any single test frequency or a 10-dB decrease at any 2 adjacent test frequencies.


RESULTS
A total of 11 patients were analyzed. Four patients (36%) had hearing loss after the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the prevalence of hearing loss after radiochemotherapy in larynx preservation protocols is high (36%); however, it was usually mild and asymptomatic.
Liberman
Patricia Helena Pecora
PH
Department of Audiology, Hospital do Câncer A.C. Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Schultz
Christiane
C
Gomez
M Valéria Schmidt Goffi
MV
Carvalho
André Lopes
AL
Pellizzon
Antonio Cassio Assis
AC
Testa
José Ricardo
JR
Feher
Olavo
O
Kowalski
Luiz Paulo
LP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin