[Hearing loss caused by high dose carboplatin therapy]. / Hörverlust durch Hochdosis-Carboplatintherapie.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Carboplatin is regarded as a non-ototoxic or low-grade ototoxic chemotherapeutic agent. METHOD: We report on three patients with a recurrence of testicular cancer after cisplatin chemotherapy who suffered hearing loss after subsequent high-dose carboplatin therapy. RESULTS: Audiometry demonstrated carboplatin-induced hearing loss primarily in the mid-range and high frequencies up to 45 dB at 3 kHz and up to 55 dB at 8 kHz. In two of three patients, transitory-evoked otoacoustic emissions were absent after carboplatin therapy. CONCLUSION: Following first-line cisplatin chemotherapy, salvage treatment with high-dose carboplatin can generate hearing loss in the middle and high frequencies.