Radiotherapy Induced Middle Ear Morbidities in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract

Introduction Although post radiotherapy (RT) otological complications are complex and common, there is lack of data on its severity and spectrum. We intend to assess the incidence and severity of such ototoxicities in head neck cancer (HNCA) patients. Materials and Methods One year prospective study was conducted on thirty cases of HNCA receiving radiotherapy. Audiometry and tympanometry changes were noted and severity is assessed using Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) -v2.0 of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Fisher's Exact Test with two-sided p value was used for comparison of the tympanometric changes. Results The mean age was 55.4 years. The commonest site of HNCA was oral cavity (30%) with 46.6 % in stage II. 40% of cases were in grade II, followed by 27% cases in Grade III. The commonest complaint was pain (86.6%), hearing loss (80%) and 40% post-RT cases reporting Type B curve (relative risk 0.67). Conclusion Post-irradiation pain and OME are a major concern in HNCA patients having grade II (NCI-CTC). Early detection and prophylactic measures will improve the quality of life in such group of patients. This result validates the need for formulating otological diagnostic strategy & therapeutic measures in patients receiving RT to mitigate post-irradiation ototoxicities.

Keywords

• Head and Neck Neoplasms
• Radiotherapy
• Morbidity, Ear
• Prospective Study