Our Own Dr. Fligor Analyzed Connections in 2009 Study
Lifesaving therapies such as the cancer-fighting drug cisplatin can bring many benefits but may also be harmful to the inner ear. The problem, called “ototoxicity,” can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance disorders.
Does this mean children treated with cisplatin to address the common bone cancer osteosarcoma are at greater risk for hearing loss? Our own Dr. Brian Fligor, audiologist-in-chief and president here at Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness, helped investigate this in a 2009-released study.
The investigation, “Ototoxicity in Children Treated for Osteosarcoma,” reviewed data from 36 patients ages 3 to 18 who were diagnosed and treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital from Jan. 1, 1995, to Dec. 12, 2004. At baseline, the patients had healthy hearing.
What did Dr. Fligor — then the director of diagnostic audiology at the children’s hospital — and fellow investigators find?
- The majority of patients (78%) receiving the cisplatin dosage of 120 mg/m(2)/day in a single day developed hearing loss.
- A much lower percentage of patients (30%) receiving the cisplatin dosage of 60 mg/m(2)/day for 2 days developed hearing loss.
- “Age, cumulative cisplatin dose, and administration of cisplatin 120 mg/m(2)/day were independent predictors of hearing loss.”
The outcome suggested, according to the researchers, “that cisplatin as 120 mg/m(2)/day be avoided due to an unacceptable incidence of hearing loss.” With cisplatin still one of the most common cancer treatments today, research into its impact on the ears and hearing continues.
Ototoxicity can affect your hearing and overall quality of life, impacting communication, physical health, participation in activities, and more. Regular hearing evaluations with a licensed audiologist can go a long way toward prevention, preservation, and treatment, helping optimize your health.
If you or a loved one is taking potentially ototoxic medication or having difficulty hearing everyday sounds, don’t wait. Contact our expert team to book a personalized hearing consultation today. Our highly trained hearing care professionals are HEAR to help!