High Frequency Hearing Loss Following Treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma(cid:31)
Yupa Sumitsawan MD*, Vasana Vaseenon MS*, Charuk Hanprasertpong MD*, Kannika Roongrotwattanasiri MD*, Imjai Chitapanarux MD**, Suwicha Isaradisaikul MD*
Affiliation : (cid:31) This study was presented and received a poster award at the 11th Asia-Oceania ORL Head & Neck Congress and the 8th Hearing International Annual Conference, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, Pattaya, November 22, 2007 * Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Objective : To evaluate the prevalence, severity and differences of high frequency hearing loss in nasopharyngeal
carcinoma patients after curative treatment by radiotherapy alone and chemoradiation.
Material and Method: Pure tone audiometry was done in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who came
back to follow-up after curative treatment during the year 2003 and 2004. The patients were divided into
three groups, the first group received radiation treatment only, the second group received radiation and
cisplatin chemotherapy, and the third group received radiation and carboplatin chemotherapy.
Results : Of 192 patients with a mean age 49.9 years, mean radiation dose 6,951.5 cGy, mean follow-up period
3 years and 9 months, 93.8% showed bilateral high frequency hearing loss. There were statistically significant
differences in the high frequency hearing threshold between the second group versus the first and the third
group.
Conclusion : Clinicians should inform patients of the risk of hearing loss, particularly the treatment with
cisplatin. Hearing test should be a routine test after treatment completion.
Keywords : Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Radiotherapy, Chemoradiation, Hearing loss
