What is a major side effect of carboplatin?

Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy agent that is commonly used to treat various types of cancer. One of its major side effects is ototoxicity, which refers to toxicity to the ear, specifically the cochlea or auditory nerve, and can result in hearing loss or tinnitus. This side effect is particularly relevant to certain patient populations, such as those receiving high doses or those with preexisting hearing issues.

Ototoxicity occurs because carboplatin can accumulate in the inner ear, leading to damage to the sensory cells involved in hearing. Monitoring patients for changes in hearing ability is critical during treatment with carboplatin to address potential ototoxic effects early on.

Other options present side effects that are not typically associated with carboplatin. For instance, hypoglycemia is not a known direct effect of carboplatin therapy; rather, it could arise from other factors unrelated to the medication. Hyperpigmentation is observed with some chemotherapy drugs but is not a prominent effect of carboplatin. Pulmonary fibrosis is also not commonly linked with carboplatin; instead, it is more associated with certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy that affect lung tissue.

Thus, ototoxicity is a significant concern when using carboplatin, making