Hair Disorders in Patients with Cancer

May 2019 in “ Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology ”

Azael Freites-Martínez, Jerry Shapiro, Shari Goldfarb, Julie R. Nangia, Joaquín J. Jiménez, Ralf Paus, Mario E. Lacouture

alopecia hirsutism hypertrichosis hair pigmentation changes hair texture changes cytotoxic therapies radiotherapy chemotherapy-induced alopecia scalp cooling corticosteroids camouflage hair loss excessive hair growth hair color changes chemotherapy radiation therapy scalp cooling caps steroids makeup

TLDR Cancer treatments often cause hair disorders, significantly affecting patients' quality of life, and better management methods are needed.

The document from May 1, 2019, reviews hair disorders in cancer patients, focusing on the incidence, clinical presentation, pathogenic mechanisms, and management strategies of these conditions, as well as their impact on patients' quality of life. It notes that various cancer treatments can lead to hair disorders such as alopecia, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, and changes in hair pigmentation and texture, with the incidence of hair changes being highest in patients receiving cytotoxic therapies (≥65%) and radiotherapy (up to 100% in treated areas). The document emphasizes the significant psychosocial impact of these disorders, particularly chemotherapy-induced alopecia, and the need for further research to better understand and manage them. Management strategies include preventive methods like scalp cooling, which has a 66% protection rate in some cases, and reactive strategies such as corticosteroids and camouflage. Experimental therapies are being explored, but more research is needed to improve outcomes for cancer patients experiencing hair disorders.

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