American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

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Acoustic nerve damage is a notable side effect of which chemotherapy drug?

Cyclophosphamide
Cisplatin
Vincristine
Bleomycin

The correct answer is: Cisplatin

Cisplatin is well-known for its potential to cause ototoxicity, which is damage to the auditory nerve and can lead to hearing loss. This side effect is particularly concerning in patients receiving this chemotherapy agent, as the acoustic nerve is primarily responsible for transmitting sound information from the inner ear to the brain. Ototoxicity can manifest as varying degrees of hearing impairment, and in some cases, may also affect balance due to involvement of the vestibular system. Cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and bleomycin do not have the same well-established association with acoustic nerve damage. While each of these drugs has its own spectrum of side effects, they are not predominantly associated with the ototoxic effects seen with cisplatin. Thus, when considering the risks of treating patients with chemotherapy agents, cisplatin's impact on hearing and the acoustic nerve is a critical factor that distinguishes it from other options.