Sunnymom3
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Posts:9
My mom is stage IV and was diagnosed 6 1/2 years ago at stage IV. She has done well. Is on Taxotere for the last year or so. She is now complaining of ringing in ears that is constant. She can't tell if it's one ear or both. I am concerned about brain mets. Hasn't had brain scan in while. Is ringing a sign of mets? Thanks.
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Reply # - January 10, 2014, 11:53 AM
Reply To: Ringing in ears
When people taking chemo get ringing in the ears aka, tinnitus the culprit is usually cisplatin not usually taxotere. Though anything with chemo is possible especially when taken for such a long period of time. BTW, it's good to hear your mom has done so well on taxotere since reports of its side effects are notorious.
metastatic brain tumor symptoms vary. A list of symptoms can be found here. It includes pressure though a link to pressure notes visual changes not tinnitus. Though a call into the onc is always in order when new symptoms arise. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000769.htm
I hope this is helpful,
Janine
Reply # - January 10, 2014, 07:25 PM
Reply To: Ringing in ears
Janine provided a great summary. I agree with all of that. Tinnitis (ringing in the ears) is a classic side effect of cisplatin, considerably less common with carboplatin, and quite uncommon with the taxanes like Taxotere (docetaxel). I also agree with her caveat that "anything is possible with chemo", but it wouldn't be an expected association here.
Similarly, tinnitus is certainly possible but not an expected symptom of brain metastases.
Good luck.
-Dr. West