Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) was a significant and distressing side effect of cancer treatments, causing both physical and psychological stress. Despite advances in understanding hair growth biology, treatment options for CIA remained limited, with hair loss typically beginning within days to weeks of starting chemotherapy and regrowth starting 1-3 months after treatment ended. The review emphasized the need for an interdisciplinary approach and patient support, noting that CIA patterns varied by sex and had different psychological impacts on men and women. Various interventions, including pharmacologic agents like minoxidil and AS101, and scalp cooling methods, showed mixed results. Experimental treatments in animal models were promising, but clinical trials were limited. Managing CIA involved a combination of psychological support, physical interventions, and patient education to help cope with this temporary but distressing side effect.