Table 4 Overview of literature on radiation-induced ear toxicity
From: Cochlea sparing optimized radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma
| Â | Study design | Number of patients (n) | Concurrent chemotherapy | Mean cochlear dose | Radiation induced ear toxicity | Â |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pan et al. [5] | Prospective | 31 | No | 47.4 Gy | Significant hearing loss for cochlear dose ≥ 45 Gy | Older patients more susceptible to hearing loss |
Chen et al. (2006) | Retrospective | 22 | yes | 48.5Â Gy | 57% SNHL | 21% serous otitis |
Van der Putten et al. [8] | Retrospective | 52 | No | 36.1Â Gy | 32% hearing loss | 39% tinnitus |
Hitchcock et al. [39] | Prospective | 62 | 34% RT only 66% yes | 33.1 Gy | RT only group: SNHL for cochlear dose ≥ 40 Gy | Chemoradiation group: SNHL for cochlear dose ≥ 10 Gy |
Chan et al. [26] | Retrospective | 97 | yes | 48.9 | 9.4% low frequency SNHL | 51.2% high frequency SNHL |
Nutting et al. [30] | Prospective | 110 | No | 56.2Â Gy (3D-CRT) vs. 35.7Â Gy (IMRT) | SNHL: 39% (3D-CRT) vs. 35% (IMRT) | Tinnitus: 58% (3D-CRT) vs. 44% (IMRT) |
Bass et al. [31] | Retrospective | 473 | n.a | Exposure defined as cochlear dose > 1 Gy | 22% Mild hearing impairment | 38% severe hearing impairment |