Clinical and Histopathological Features of Hair Loss in 17 Japanese Patients With Hematologic Disorders Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Chemotherapy: A Case Series

September 2025 in “ PubMed ”

Harutaka Seshimo, M Uchiyama, Risa Suzuki, Takafumi Numata, Ryokichi Irisawa, Hiroaki Shimizu, Kazutoshi Harada

hematopoietic stem cell transplantation chemotherapy radiation therapy diffuse hair loss cyclophosphamide peripheral blood stem cell transplantation trichoscopic analysis vellus hairs catagen hairs telogen hairs hair miniaturization topical minoxidil stem cell transplant chemo radiation hair thinning Rogaine

TLDR Hair miniaturization is the main cause of long-term hair loss after stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy, and treatments like topical minoxidil can help improve hair volume.

This study investigated 17 Japanese patients with hematologic disorders who experienced hair loss following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and chemotherapy, with or without radiation therapy. The research found that all patients exhibited diffuse hair loss, lasting on average 4.9 years. Cyclophosphamide was the most commonly used chemotherapeutic agent, and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation was the prevalent method. Trichoscopic analysis revealed short vellus hairs and diversity in hair diameter, while histopathological examination showed an increase in vellus and catagen/telogen hairs. The study concluded that hair miniaturization, rather than inflammation, is the primary pathology in the chronic phase of hair loss. Treatments targeting follicular miniaturization, such as topical minoxidil, showed potential in improving hair volume in 52.9% of cases.

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