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Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)
Patient Version   Health Professional Version   En español   Last Modified: 04/24/2009
Table 3. Ear Late Effectsa

Late Effects  Causative Treatment   Signs and Symptoms  Screening and Diagnostic Tests  Management and Intervention 
aAdapted from Schwartz et al.[37]
Chronic otitis Radiation: >35 Gy Dryness and thickening of canal and tympanic membrane, conductive hearing loss, perforation of tympanic membrane Otoscopic exam, audiometry Antibiotic therapy, decongestants, myringotomy, pressure equalizer tubes, preferential seating in school, amplification
Sensorineural hearing loss Chemotherapy: Cisplatin, carboplatin High frequency hearing loss (bilateral), tinnitus, vertigo Conventional pure tone audiogram baseline and then every 2–3 years; bilateral, symmetrical, irreversible Preferential seating in school, amplification
Radiation: 40–50 Gy, cranial radiation enhances the platinum effect
Decreased production of cerumen Radiation: 30–40 Gy Hard and encrusted cerumen in canal, hearing impairment, otitis externa Examination of canal Periodic cleaning of ear canal, cerumen-loosening agents, otic drops for otitis externa; keep ear dry: ear plugs, drying solution
Chondritis Radiation: 50 Gy Cauliflower ear Inspection of auricle Antibiotics, surgical repair (reconstruction may be hampered by poor blood supply)
Chondronecrosis Radiation: 60 Gy Antibiotics, surgical repair (reconstruction may be hampered by poor blood supply)

References

  1. Schwartz C L, Hobbie WL, Constine LS, et al., eds.: Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Assessment and Management. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1994. 


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