Prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus after childhood cancer treatment: a Danish nationwide registry-based study.
In a Danish nationwide registry cohort of 3,075 children diagnosed with cancer before age 18 during 2014–2024, auditory late effects were recorded in 5.7%, with higher risk reported among younger patients, those with malignant neoplasms, and those receiving high-dose chemotherapy at younger ages.
Open original publication →What the AI sees
In a Danish nationwide registry cohort of 3,075 children diagnosed with cancer before age 18 during 2014–2024, auditory late effects were recorded in 5.7%, with higher risk reported among younger patients, those with malignant neoplasms, and those receiving high-dose chemotherapy at younger ages.
Research significance
The study provides observational evidence supporting risk-stratified auditory surveillance in childhood cancer survivors; it is reasonable but untested to infer that earlier detection and intervention could reduce developmental or quality-of-life consequences.
Source abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite rising survival rates and high-quality health data available - no large-scale study has mapped the full Danish Childhood Cancer Survivor population with auditory late effects. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of auditory late effects among Danish children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer in a national register-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using data from the Danish Cancer Register and the Danish National Patient Register, we identified children diagnosed with cancer before the age of 18 between 2014 and 2024. Statistical analyses including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, relative risks and trend analysis were performed to explore patterns and potential associations between cancer diagnosis and the development of auditory late effects. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 3075 children with a registration in the Danish Cancer Register. The prevalence of auditory late effects was 5.7%. The risk was higher among younger patients, patients with malignant neoplasms and patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy at a younger age.. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: These findings highlight auditory late effects as a relevant late effect with implications for quality of life. Early identification and monitoring are essential to support developmental outcomes, particularly in younger patients, and to increase awareness in survivorship care.