Long-term exposure to circulating platinum is associated with late effects of treatment in testicular cancer survivors

Cisplatin Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction and Dyslipidemia

Myocardial infarction commonly occurs due to rupture of atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries and is manifested on coronary angiography. Myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries can occur due to hypercoagulable state, coronary spasm, embolism, arteritis, congenital condition and drugs. Illicit drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and marijuana are known to cause myocardial infarction. Of the many medications that are associated with cardiovascular toxicity, chemotherapeutic agents form a large group with both acute and delayed cardiotoxicity. We present a case of acute myocardial infarction in a patient with no organic coronary artery disease on the Bleomycin, Etoposide and Cisplatin (BEP) regimen for treatment of testicular seminoma. Patient developed symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) after his third cycle of the regimen. This case highlights the need for prior careful cardiovascular evaluation, close monitoring and use of strategies to prevent cardiovascular morbidity in patients on cisplatin therapy.

Long-term ototoxicity in women after cisplatin treatment for ovarian germ cell cancer

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate long-term cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in women treated for malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT).

METHODS

Seventy-four women treated for MOGCT in Norway (1980-2009) were analyzed: 41 had received cisplatin-based chemotherapy (CBCT) ("Cases") and 33 had no CBCT ("Controls"). Median follow-up was 15years. Hearing was assessed by pure tone audiometry and by the SCIN questionnaire. Air conduction thresholds were reported as absolute hearing thresholds and age-adjusted thresholds. Absolute and age-adjusted hearing loss were defined as thresholds of >20dB at any frequency. Tinnitus was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Serum Platinum Concentration (SPC) was determined.

RESULTS

Absolute hearing loss was identified in 21 Cases (51%) and 24 Controls (73%). After adjusting for age, only 9 Cases (22%) and 5 Controls (15%) remained. Age-adjusted hearing thresholds at 4, 6 and 8kHz were slightly but significantly higher in Cases compared to Controls. Subjective hearing loss was reported by 27% of Cases and 21% of Controls, who were significantly older. Elevated SPC values were detected up to 20years after CBCT, but SPC did not correlate significantly with age-adjusted hearing loss. The rate of tinnitus was similar in Cases and Controls.

CONCLUSION

Long-term MOGCT survivors treated with CBCT have small but significant reductions in age-adjusted hearing thresholds at 4, 6 and 8kHz versus Controls. Approximately one in four women experienced subjective hearing loss. To avoid overestimation of clinically relevant cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, absolute hearing thresholds should be age-adjusted and compared to an age-matched control group.

Long-term arterial complications of chemotherapy in patients with cancer

The number of cancer survivors has gradually increased in recent decades. However, the cancer survivors are at risk for conditions related to their initial disease and its treatment, i.e. surgery, systemic treatment or radiotherapy. Cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, are common side effects of these therapies. Cardiovascular damage can occur during treatment or month to years after the initial treatment, as late effect of the cancer treatment. The pathophysiology of these effects is not yet fully understood, but an important part of the cardiovascular complications are thought to be the result of effects of anticancer agents on the structural and functional properties of the endothelium. Because these conditions can result in a high degree of morbidity and mortality, understanding how to improve the prevention, recognition, and treatment of vascular disease is an important medical priority in the care for cancer survivors. This review will focus on the long-term arterial complications of chemotherapy in cancer survivors. It will summarize the epidemiology and pathophysiology of these complications. Furthermore, important long-term clinical conditions related to these effects will be outlined, including cardiovascular risk management in terms of prevention, evaluation and therapy.