Prevalence of hearing screening failures in low-risk childhood cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: We sought to estimate the frequency of hearing screening failures in pediatric cancer survivors at low risk for hearing loss and evaluate the feasibility of administering screenings in this population. PROCEDURE: Survivors in the St. Louis Children's Hospital Late Effects Clinic were recruited. Eligibility included (a) diagnosis of a pediatric cancer treated without platinum chemotherapy or cranial radiation, (b) at least 6 months from completion of therapy, (c) between the ages of 7 and 18 years, (d) cognitively/behaviorally able to participate, and (e) English speaking. Behavioral hearing screenings from 1000 to 8000 Hz were performed by trained personnel using a calibrated audiometer. A failed screen was defined by a participant not responding to two or more of the three screening attempts for at least one frequency in at least one ear. RESULTS: One hundred nine patients met eligibility criteria with 78 enrolled (71.5%). Diagnoses included leukemia (57.7%), sarcoma (11.5%), Wilms tumor (14.1%), lymphoma (12.8%), and other solid tumors (3.9%). The median age was 13.2 years (Q1-Q3: 9.6-15.4) and the median time from treatment completion was 3.7 years (Q1-Q3: 2.3-7.4). Eighteen patients (23%) failed the hearing screen (95% CI: 14%-34%). No demographic or treatment-related variables were significantly correlated to screening failure. Six screen failures (33%) underwent formal audiology assessments, with three demonstrating unilateral hearing loss: two conductive and one sensorineural. CONCLUSIONS: A significant fraction of pediatric cancer survivors at low risk for hearing loss failed hearing screening. Broader use of hearing screening should be considered.

Prevalence of Ototoxicity Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric Patients.

The use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is increasing for a variety of diseases. Ototoxicity from this procedure has not been extensively studied. A retrospective chart review examined 275 patients from this institution who underwent HSCT between January 1, 2007, and April 30, 2017. Data extracted included therapy before HSCT and the subsequent course of transplantation. Evaluable patients had complete medical records and interpretable audiograms available. Ototoxicity constituted significant threshold changes from baseline or changes in International Society of Pediatric Oncology/Boston Ototoxicity Grading Scale (SIOP) grade comparing audiogram results just before HSCT with those following the transplantation procedure. A total of 147 patients were evaluable. Ototoxicity was observed in 10.2% of the patients. Higher SIOP grade before HSCT was significantly associated with a higher risk of post-transplantation ototoxicity (P < .01). Previous cisplatin treatment (P < .0001), but not carboplatin or radiation treatment, was also associated with ototoxicity. Patients with a solid tumor or brain tumor (P < .0001) and those who received an autologous transplant (P = .0002) were also at increased risk. No post-transplantation event was significantly associated with ototoxicity. Ototoxicity affects a significant percentage of patients undergoing HSCT, and careful monitoring is needed to identify patients impacted by this procedure.

Prevalence and nature of hearing loss in a cohort of children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) may cause injury to any organ, including the auditory system. Although the association of SCD and hearing loss has been described, the nature of this complication is unknown. We sought to establish the prevalence and nature of hearing loss in a referred cohort of children with SCD and to identify correlating disease- or treatment-associated factors. PROCEDURE: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with SCD < 22 years of age who had hearing evaluations between August 1990 and December 2014. Demographics, audiograms, and disease and treatment variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten audiograms among 81 patients were reviewed, and 189 were evaluable. Seventy-two children constituted the referred cohort. Fourteen (19.4%) had hearing loss documented on at least one audiogram. Seven (9.7%) patients had only conductive hearing loss, and the loss persisted for up to 10.3 years. The median age of first identification was eight years. Six (8.3%) patients had hearing loss that was at least partially sensorineural. One patient's hearing loss was ambiguous. All sensorineural hearing losses were unilateral and 4/6 patients had prior documented normal hearing, indicating acquired loss. No correlations were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Both conductive and sensorineural hearing losses are more prevalent in our study population than those observed in the general pediatric population. In children with SCD, sensorineural hearing loss appears to be acquired and unilateral. Conductive hearing loss was identified in older children and can persist. Serial screening is needed for early detection and more prompt intervention in this population.

Asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss is a risk factor for late-onset hearing loss in pediatric cancer survivors following cisplatin treatment.

BACKGROUND: Ototoxicity is a significant complication of cisplatin treatment. Hearing loss can be symmetric or asymmetric, and may decline after therapy. This study examined the risks of asymmetric and late-onset hearing loss (LOHL) in cisplatin-treated pediatric patients with cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review of 993 patients' medical and audiological charts from August 1990 to March 2015 was conducted using stringent criteria to characterize patients with asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) or LOHL. Audiologic data were reviewed for 248 patients that received cisplatin to assess cisplatin-induced sensorineural hearing loss and its associated risk factors. RESULTS: Of the patients evaluable for AHL, 26% exhibited this finding. Of those evaluable for LOHL, 42% of the patients' hearing worsened more than 6 months after therapy completion. Radiation and type of cancer diagnosis were major risk factors for both AHL and LOHL. Furthermore, LOHL was linked to age of diagnosis, noncranial radiation, and longer audiologic follow-up. AHL was strongly associated with LOHL-60% of patients with AHL also had LOHL. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with AHL (OR 6.3, 95% CI: 2.2-17.8, P = 0.0005) or those receiving radiation (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2-8.6, P = 0.02) were at greatest risk for LOHL. CONCLUSION: Children receiving cisplatin therapy are at risk for developing AHL and LOHL. Those that have received radiation and/or with AHL are at increased risk for further hearing decline. Long-term monitoring of these patients is important for early intervention as hearing diminishes.

Determining the prevalence of vestibular screening failures in pediatric cancer patients whose therapies include radiation to the head/neck and platin-based therapies: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Sensorineural hearing loss due to ototoxic cancer therapy is well established; effects on the vestibular system are unknown. We examined the feasibility of implementing vestibular screens for pediatric cancer survivors exposed to ototoxic agents. The prevalence of screening failures is reported. METHODS: Cancer survivors who were 6-17 years, at least 1-month posttreatment, and received ototoxic therapy (radiation to the head/neck, cisplatin, carboplatin) were eligible. Screening measures included (1) Pediatric Vestibular Symptom Questionnaire, (2) Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, and (3) Dynamic Visual Acuity. RESULTS: Vestibular screening failures were observed in 30 participants (60%). Patients with a brain tumor diagnosis were at increased risk for failures compared to nonbrain tumor patients (74.2% vs. 36.8%, P = 0.009). Patients who underwent brain surgery were at increased risk for failures compared to patients without brain surgery (71% vs. 42%, P = 0.043). Patients with a longer duration between end of treatment and vestibular screening had a reduced risk of failures, with an almost 20% decrease for each year between the time points (odds ratio = 0.812; 95% confidence interval: 0.683-0.964, P = 0.018). Receiving carboplatin correlated with a decreased risk of failure (P = 0.016), due to a negative correlation with other clinical risk factors (diagnosis of a brain tumor, major brain surgery) that are associated with vestibular screening failure. CONCLUSION: Vestibular screening failures are highly prevalent in childhood cancer survivors who received ototoxic therapy. Broad screening of this population and further characterization of these patients are warranted.

Assessing quality of life in childhood cancer survivors at risk for hearing loss: a comparison of HEAR-QL and PROMIS measures.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) exposed to platinum chemotherapy are at an increased risk of developing hearing loss and reporting decreased quality of life (QOL). This study compared two QOL measures; one developed for children with hearing loss, The Hearing Environments and Refection on Quality of Life (HEAR-QL), and one validated in CCS, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), to assess their ability to evaluate QOL deficits in this population. Methods: Subject eligibility were restricted to CCS exposed to platinum-based chemotherapy but who were free of known risk factors for cognitive impairment, (non-central nervous system tumor, no cranial radiation, or intrathecal chemotherapy). Participants had to be between 8-17 years, have completed anti-cancer therapy for at least 6 months, and have an audiogram within 1 year, Participants completed the HEAR-QL-26 (7-12 years) or the HEAR-QL-28 (13-18 years) and the PROMIS. Independent samples and/or one sample T-tests were utilized to compare participants with normal hearing and hearing loss, and to compare outcome measures to normative HEAR-QL and PROMIS data. Non-parametric correlations were utilized to evaluate the relationship between QOL and demographic and medical variables, and QOL and severity of hearing loss. Results: Fifty-four CCS were evaluable. The mean age was 12.0 years. Twenty-eight participants (51.9%) received cisplatin, 30 (55.6%) carboplatin, and 4 (7.4%) received both. Twenty participants (37%) demonstrated hearing loss. Participants with hearing loss scored significantly lower on the HEAR-QL than those with normal hearing (mean: 70.3, SD: 21.7, vs mean: 88.0, SD: 9.3, p =.004 for the HEAR-QL-26; mean: 84.7, SD: 10.2 vs mean: 94.8, SD: 3.4, p =.040 for the HEAR-QL-28). Participants with normal hearing scored significantly lower on the HEAR-QL-26 than the normative mean (mean: 88, SD: 9.3, normative mean: 98, SD: 5, p =.000). The PROMIS failed to identify any differences in QOL between participants based on hearing status, or when compared to the normative mean. Conclusion: The HEAR-QL was more sensitive than the PROMIS in identifying QOL deficits in CCS at risk for hearing loss. The HEAR-QL should be considered in studies seeking to improve the QOL of CCS with hearing loss.

Children with non-central nervous system tumors treated with platinum-based chemotherapy are at risk for hearing loss and cognitive impairments.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) with chemotherapy induced sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) are at risk for neurocognitive impairments. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between SNHL and cognitive function among CCS. Procedure: Inclusion: non-CNS solid tumor diagnosis; history of platinum chemotherapy (cisplatin and/or carboplatin); 8-17 years of age; off anti-cancer treatment for ≥6 months; and English speaking. Exclusion: history of intrathecal chemotherapy, cranial radiation, or baseline neurocognitive disorder. Participants completed the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery at enrollment. T-tests were used to compare participants with normal hearing to those with hearing loss and the total sample with established Toolbox normative data (mean: 50; SD: 10). Results: Fifty-seven individuals enrolled; 52 completed full cognitive testing. Participants were on average 12.2 years of age and 7.0 years since treatment completion. Twenty-one participants (40%) received cisplatin, 27 (52%) carboplatin, and 4 (8%) received both. Fifteen participants (29%) demonstrated SNHL based on the better ear. CCS, regardless of the presence or absence of SNHL, demonstrated significantly lower mean cognitive skills compared to the normative sample in attention, executive function, language- vocabulary and oral reading, processing speed, and fluid, crystallized and total composite scores (all p < 0.01). Participants with SNHL had significantly lower crystallized composite (vocabulary, oral reading) than those with normal hearing (41.9 vs. 47.2, p < 0.05, Cohen's d = 0.62). Conclusions: CCS at risk for platinum induced hearing loss but without cranial radiation or intrathecal chemotherapy exposure demonstrate impaired cognitive skills and those with SNHL demonstrate lower crystallized composite scores.

Cisplatin Ototoxicity: Examination of the Impact of Dosing, Infusion Times, and Schedules In Pediatric Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Sensorineural hearing loss is a well-known side effect of cisplatin (CDDP). There is limited research on the effect of dosing, infusion times, and schedules of cisplatin administration and their impact on hearing loss. METHODS: A retrospective review of 993 pediatric patients' medical and audiological charts from August 1990 to March 2015 was conducted using stringent inclusion criteria to characterize patients with hearing loss. 248 of these patients received CDDP. Of these, 216 patients had sufficient CDDP infusion data to assess for sensorineural hearing loss attributable to CDDP and its associated risk factors. Chart reviews were performed to extract clinical data including CDDP dosing information. Demographic and clinical characteristics were summarized by descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationship between hearing loss and specific parameters of cisplatin administration (amount infused per dose, prescribed infusion time, total number of doses, number of doses per cycle, number of cycles, cumulative cisplatin exposure). Stepwise variable selection procedure was performed in the multivariate model building to extract the best subset of risk factors for the prediction of hearing loss and worsening ototoxicity grade using an established ototoxicity grading scale from the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). RESULTS: A total of 153 patients with complete medical and audiologic data were evaluable for analysis. Hearing loss was identified in 72.6% of the patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that age [OR=0.90 (0.84-0.97), p-value=0.0086], radiation to any part of the body, [OR=3.20 (1.29-7.93), p-value=0.012], amount infused per dose (mg/m2) [OR=1.018 (1.002-1.033), p-value=0.029], and cumulative cisplatin exposure (mg/m 2) [OR=1.004 (1-1.008), p-value=0.027] were associated with hearing loss. Similar associations were also found between these risk factors and worsening SIOP grade. CONCLUSION: In one of the largest studies examining the influence of CDDP dosing and schedules on hearing loss, we found the amount of CDDP infused per dose is a significant risk factor. Considerations in designing regimens that reduce the amount of CDDP infused per dose may reduce the risk of hearing loss. Randomized prospective trials are needed.

Late onset hearing loss: a significant complication of cancer survivors treated with Cisplatin containing chemotherapy regimens.

Cisplatin is a known ototoxic agent and has been associated with late onset hearing loss (LOHL) in children beyond completion of treatment. We completed a retrospective review of 160 patients yielding 59 who received cisplatin and had sufficient data to determine the presence of LOHL. LOHL was defined as a significant change in hearing thresholds 6 months past the last cisplatin therapy. A significant change was defined as a decrease of >15 dB in a frequency from 1 to 8 kHz in either ear, or a decrease of 10 dB at 2 or more frequencies in the same ear, compared with the previously entered audiogram. Hearing loss was classified using the Brock grading system for each ear. Of the 59 patients evaluated, 51% exhibited LOHL. Univariate analysis indicated LOHL was significantly associated with age of diagnosis (P=0.031), diagnosis of medulloblastoma (P=0.035), hearing aids (P=0.010), and cranial radiation (P=0.044), particularly to the posterior fossa (P=0.023). Multivariate analysis revealed only radiation to the posterior fossa (P=0.02) and the use of hearing aids (P=0.01) were significantly associated with LOHL. LOHL is a significant complication in childhood cancer survivors who receive cisplatin. Long-term audiologic monitoring after therapy is needed to identify the affected patients.

Hearing loss in pediatric oncology patients receiving carboplatin-containing regimens.

Carboplatin is a well-established chemotherapeutic agent used to treat a variety of pediatric malignancies. Platinum analogues such as cisplatin are known to be ototoxic, but little is known regarding the ototoxicity of carboplatin. We performed a single institution retrospective chart review of pediatric oncology patients who received platinum-containing regimens from 1993 to 2002. Ninety-nine patients with sufficient medical and audiologic data were identified. Significant hearing loss was defined as a Brock grade 1 or higher. The incidence was compared among 3 treatment groups (carboplatin only, carboplatin and cisplatin, and cisplatin only). Significant hearing loss in patients receiving carboplatin only was rare, observed in only 1/25 (4%) of patients. In contrast, 19/27 (70%) of patients receiving carboplatin and cisplatin possessed significant hearing loss, as did 27/47 (57%) of those patients receiving cisplatin only P<0.001. The difference in hearing loss could not be explained by different cumulative exposures of the platinum agents. Carboplatin, when used without cisplatin, is rarely associated with severe hearing loss, even at high cumulative doses.