Ototoxicity in children receiving platinum chemotherapy: Underestimating a commonly occurring toxicity that may impact academic and social development

8548 Purpose: To describe the frequency and severity of ototoxicity in a series of pediatric patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. Methods: Serial audiologic evaluations were conducted for 67 subjects aged 8 months to 23 years who received platinum-based chemotherapy. Audiologic data was analyzed to determine time to hearing-loss using American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) criteria, and the effects of treatment and patient characteristics on the incidence and severity of ototoxicity. Results: Bilateral decreases in hearing were seen in 61% of patients (median time-to-hearing-loss 135 days). Children treated for medulloblastoma, osteosarcoma and neuroblastoma had greater incidence and severity of hearing loss. Agreement between the usually reported National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) and ASHA criteria was inadequate. Conclusions: Traditional reporting of toxicity data (CTCAE) has under-reported ototoxicity and minimized the significance of hearing loss in children. As pediatric patients experience improved survival, the affects and implications of high frequency hearing loss in regards to academic achievement and speech and language development are important considerations, especially in patients younger than 5 years. No significant financial relationships to disclose.