Alopecia in a premenopausal breast cancer woman treated with letrozole and triptorelin

    October 2003 in “ Annals of Oncology
    Paolo Carlini, Serena Di Cosimo, G. Ferretti, Paola Papaldo, Alessandra Fabi, Enzo Maria Ruggeri, M. Milella, Francesco Cognetti
    TLDR Hair loss can occur as a side effect of certain breast cancer treatments, but minoxidil can help regrow hair.
    A 37-year-old premenopausal woman with relapsed breast cancer developed diffuse non-scarring alopecia after 6 months of treatment with triptorelin and letrozole. The alopecia was attributed to a hormonal imbalance towards androgenization of hair follicles, possibly due to decreased estradiol and aromatase activity. Minoxidil 2% was effective in stopping hair loss and promoting regrowth. This case highlighted the potential for alopecia as a side effect of combining LHRHa with non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors, emphasizing the need for oncologists to consider such adverse events in treatment planning and provide psychological support to affected patients.
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