TLDR Some breast cancer chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.
In a prospective study of 20 white Caucasian female patients treated between 2007 and 2011, permanent alopecia was identified as a complication following breast cancer chemotherapy with a sequential fluorouracil/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide (FEC) and docetaxel regimen. The patients developed a moderate or intense androgenetic-like pattern of scalp alopecia, with 19 out of 20 experiencing permanent diffuse scalp alopecia and body hair loss. Biopsy specimens showed normal or androgenetic-like patterns, with reduced hair follicle density and/or an increased amount of vellus hair in 53% of cases, and a mild lymphocytic infiltrate in 67% of cases. Laboratory tests ruled out other potential causes such as iron or zinc deficiency, thyroid disorders, and hyperandrogenism. The mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score was 8.66, reflecting significant psychological distress, and 70% of patients used hair prostheses or scarves due to the hair loss. No effective treatments were found, including vitamins, minoxidil, psoralen plus ultraviolet A therapy, and spironolactone. The study estimated the incidence of this side effect to be around 2% among patients treated with this regimen at the institution during the study period.
86 citations,
May 2011 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” How bad a woman's hair loss is doesn't always match how it affects her happiness and daily life.
57 citations,
March 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology” Chemotherapy can cause permanent, non-reversible hair loss similar to pattern baldness.
67 citations,
May 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.
61 citations,
April 2009 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Docetaxel and paclitaxel for breast cancer can cause permanent, severe hair loss.
81 citations,
March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Effective hair loss treatment in women requires correct diagnosis and can include medications like minoxidil, antiandrogens, and treatments for underlying conditions like PCOS.
40 citations,
September 2007 in “Bone marrow transplantation” Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hair loss in stem cell transplant patients.
63 citations,
May 2000 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant can cause permanent hair loss.
3 citations,
January 2012 in “Elsevier eBooks” The document says that there are treatments for hair and nail diseases.
8 citations,
January 2020 in “Plastic and Aesthetic Nursing” The article concludes that different types of hair loss require specific treatments and psychological support is important.
170 citations,
December 2009 in “Histopathology” The conclusion is that accurate diagnosis of different types of hair loss requires good teamwork between skin doctors and lab experts.
14 citations,
September 2016 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology” The document concludes that new methods improve the accuracy of diagnosing scalp alopecia and challenges the old way of classifying it.
21 citations,
May 1996 in “Current problems in dermatology” Detailed patient history and physical exams are crucial for diagnosing hair loss.
