Hearing loss after radiation and chemotherapy for CNS and head-and-neck tumors in children

A study at the University Health Network in Toronto (Canada) evaluated incidence and risk factors for hearing loss in children receiving radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy for CNS and head-and-neck tumors. Patients experienced a high incidence of hearing loss over time, with associations found between hearing loss and cisplatin or carboplatin dose as well as mean cochlea RT-dose. Mean cochlea dose of ≤ 30 Gy is proposed as a goal to reduce the risk of hearing loss; a lower threshold (20-25 Gy) may be considered in patients also receiving platinum chemotherapy.