Abstract Context: Although immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by increasing the immune system’s capacity to combat cancer, patients’ quality of life may be negatively impacted by serious side effects like audiovestibular toxicity. Both qualitative and quantitative assessments can help in detecting early signs of ototoxicity and improving the quality of life. Aims: The study aimed to monitor auditory changes in patients undergoing immunotherapy. Settings and Design: The study was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology in collaboration with the Department of Audiology at a tertiary health center in Mangalore. It employed a pilot, cross-sectional observational design. Subjects and Methods: Twelve patients aged 48–73 years undergoing immunotherapy were recruited by convenience sampling. Self-reported auditory symptoms were documented using a structured questionnaire, and bedside distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded to assess cochlear function. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize auditory symptoms and DPOAE findings. Correlation analyses were performed to explore associations between auditory symptoms and treatment-related variables. Results: 75% of patients reported hearing alterations, 58.3% reported tinnitus, and 41.7% reported dizziness. DPOAE screening showed moderately negative correlations at 250 Hz and 500 Hz, indicating absent emissions with increasing symptom severity. Correlation analysis further suggested that auditory symptoms worsened with a higher number of immunotherapy cycles. Conclusions: This pilot study observed that patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy reported auditory symptoms, supported partially by reduced DPOAE responses. However, the study is limited by its small sample size, cross-sectional design, and lack of detailed audiometric evaluation. In addition, further analysis of questionnaire responses may provide additional insights.
Ponnana et al. (Wed,) studied this question.