Assessment and Treatment Outcomes of Persistent Radiation-Induced Alopecia in Cancer Patients

September 2020 in “ JAMA dermatology ”

Gregory S. Phillips, Morgan E. Freret, Danielle Novetsky Friedman, Sabrina Trelles, Oluwaseun Kukoyi, Azael Freites-Martínez, Robin Unger, Joseph J. Disa, Leonard H. Wexler, Christopher L. Tinkle, James Mechalakos, Stephen W. Dusza, Kathryn Beal, Suzanne L. Wolden, Mario E. Lacouture

radiation-induced alopecia CNS tumors head and neck sarcomas alopecia radiation doses proton irradiation scalp radiation dose trichoscopic features white patches hair-shaft caliber topical minoxidil hair transplantation plastic surgical reconstruction pRIA minoxidil hair transplant plastic surgery

TLDR Persistent radiation-induced hair loss is dose-dependent, and treatments like topical minoxidil can be effective.

The study assessed persistent radiation-induced alopecia (PRIA) in 71 cancer patients, revealing that PRIA significantly impacted quality of life, particularly emotionally. Alopecia severity was dose-dependent, with higher radiation doses leading to more severe cases. Topical minoxidil, 5%, improved hair density in 82% of patients, though only 16% achieved complete regrowth. Surgical interventions, including hair transplantation, provided more substantial and lasting results. The study highlighted the need for further research to develop effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for PRIA.

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