Earl HM, Connolly S, Latoufis C, Eagle K, Ash CM, Fowler C, Souhami RL. Long-term neurotoxicity of chemotherapy in adolescents and young adults treated for bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
Sarcoma 2011;
2:97-105. [PMID:
18521240 PMCID:
PMC2395382 DOI:
10.1080/13577149878055]
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Abstract
Purpose. To study the long-term neurotoxicity of chemotherapy in adolescents and young adults treated for bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
Patients and Methods. Thirty-six adolescents and young adults (median age 17 years) were examined following chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Twenty-nine (29/36) had received cisplatin (median
400 mg/m2), 15/36 ifosfamide (median 20 g/m2), and 12/36 vincristine (median 16 mg). Neurotoxicity
was assessed at a median of 8 months (range, 1–54 months) after completion of chemotherapy by clinical
examination, nerve conduction studies, audiograms and autonomic function tests. The same nerve conduction studies
were carried out in 20 normal volunteers to define normal ranges in this age group.
Results. Sixteen patients (44%) had a significant reduction in deep tendon reflexes, and this
clinical parameter correlated well with abnormalities detected in nerve conduction studies. Vibration perception
threshold (VPT) was raised in 20/36 patients (55%) and this was the most sensitive single test in the assessment
of neuropathy. There was a significant
correlation between VPT and cumulative cisplatin dose received in mg/m-2
(r=0.607, p<0.01). Ten of 29 patients (35%) had abnormal nerve conduction
studies with a pattern characteristic of sensory axonal neuropathy. No patient complained of auditory symptoms, but
minor high tone hearing loss was detected by audiograms in 5/28 patients who had received cisplatin. No patients had
symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, but autonomic function tests showed minor abnormalities
in 4/22 patients tested, and all had received cisplatin.
Conclusions. This study demonstrates significant, although asymptomatic, long-term neurotoxicity
of cisplatin in adolescents and young adults receiving chemotherapy for bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Follow-up
studies are planned to assess whether these neurological deficits improve with time.
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