Long-term hearing results and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: comparison between treatment with conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term audiological outcome and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who have received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy (2 DRT).


METHODS
Prospective study on the audiological outcome and otological complications 5-9 years after radiotherapy.


METHODS
Patients had pure-tone audiogram before radiotherapy and 5 years after radiotherapy. Otological examination was performed 5-9 years after radiotherapy by an otolaryngologist.


RESULTS
There is a significant deterioration of the hearing threshold 5 years after radiotherapy but there is no statistically significant difference in the deterioration of hearing between IMRT and 2 DRT. Six patients in the 2 DRT group and 1 patient in the IMRT group had osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal (p = 0.042).


CONCLUSIONS
There are fewer incidences of osteoradionecrosis of the external auditory canal in patients treated with IMRT. There is no difference in bone conduction threshold in patients treated with IMRT or 2 DRT.
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Raymond K
RK
Tsang
Dora L
DL
Kwong
Ambrose C
AC
Ho
Victor S
VS
To
Wai-Kuen
WK
Ho
William I
WI
Wei
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome