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Is intensity-modulated radiotherapy superior to conventional techniques to prevent late ear complications of nasopharyngeal cancer?

  • Otology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzed the late ear complications of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) and compared the conventional and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (2D-RT and IMRT, respectively).

Methods

At 2–21 years after the end of NPC treatment, 104 ears of 52 patients were evaluated with the otoscopic examination, pure tone audiometry test, tympanometry, and subjective complaints by being blinded to the radiotherapy technique.

Results

There were no differences in terms of the pathology of the external, middle or inner ear, air and bone-conduction hearing thresholds, and the air–bone (A–B) gap at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, and tympanometry types between 2D-RT and IMRT groups (p > 0.05). There were positive correlations between the values of A500 and A1000 thresholds; gap 500, 4000, and mean cochlear RT dose (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the values of A500, A1000, and A4000 thresholds; gap 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and maximum cochlear RT dose (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

IMRT was not found to be superior to 2D-RT to prevent RT-induced ear complications. The solution of the middle ear problems must be the goal of the strategies for complications treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Medical Sciences, Ankara A.Y. Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Yenimahalle, 06200, Ankara, Turkey

    Ayca Ant, Pinar Atabey, Arzubetul Duran & Samet Ozlugedik

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Medical Sciences, Ankara A.Y. Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Ömer Yazici

  3. Department of Medical Oncology, University of Medical Sciences, Ankara A.Y. Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Ferit Ferhat Aslan

  4. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Yusuf Kemal Kemaloglu

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  1. Ayca Ant
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  2. Ömer Yazici
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  3. Pinar Atabey
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Correspondence to Ayca Ant.

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Ant, A., Yazici, Ö., Atabey, P. et al. Is intensity-modulated radiotherapy superior to conventional techniques to prevent late ear complications of nasopharyngeal cancer?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 276, 977–984 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05299-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05299-7

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