Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia Management: Clinical Experience and Practical Advice

The document from 2017 addresses the management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), a common side effect of cancer treatment affecting approximately 65% of patients. It highlights the lack of guidelines at the time for predicting and managing hair loss associated with chemotherapy. The authors recommend prechemotherapy strategies such as patient evaluation, blood tests, and scalp dermoscopy, as well as the use of vasoconstrictors. During chemotherapy, gentle hair care and scalp cooling are advised, while post-treatment suggestions include 2% topical minoxidil and antioxidants to aid hair regrowth. The paper also examines hair loss from targeted therapies, noting that different mechanisms are involved compared to traditional chemotherapy, with alopecia patterns varying and sometimes leading to scarring. The onset of hair loss can occur from 2 weeks to months after treatment, with recovery taking 1-6 months post-drug discontinuation, though hair quality and regrowth rate may change. The document calls for more research to understand the mechanisms behind drug-induced alopecia and stresses the importance of collaboration between dermatologists and oncologists in managing these side effects.