TLDR Scalp cooling effectively prevents severe hair loss in breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel and is safe.
The study investigated the occurrence of persistent alopecia (PA) in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant docetaxel and the efficacy of scalp cooling in preventing this condition. It was found that patients receiving docetaxel at cumulative doses (CD) ≥ 400 mg/m² had a high prevalence of PA, with grade 2 PA affecting about 10% of 358 patients, necessitating the use of a wig. However, in a prevention trial, none of the 116 patients who received scalp cooling alongside docetaxel at CD≥400 mg/m² developed grade 2 PA after a median follow-up of 96 months, and scalp cooling was well tolerated without any scalp relapses among those who experienced disease relapse. The study concluded that scalp cooling is highly effective in preventing PA caused by docetaxel, with only a 0.8% incidence of grade 1 PA and no grade 2 PA observed in 120 evaluable patients after 8 years, and no scalp metastases were detected.
31 citations,
March 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some breast cancer patients developed permanent hair loss after chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, showing patterns similar to common baldness and alopecia areata.
19 citations,
May 2013 in “Annals of Oncology” Aromatase inhibitors cause male pattern hair loss in women.
68 citations,
May 2012 in “Annals of Oncology” Some breast cancer chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.
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April 2006 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Older women face various skin issues like dryness and thinning, and treatments are available but can have side effects; proper skin care and legal health decisions are important.
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September 2021 in “JAMA Dermatology” Different types of persistent hair loss after chemotherapy respond differently to treatments.
1 citations,
January 2018 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that scalp cooling and treatments like minoxidil can help manage hair loss from cancer therapy.
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September 2016 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Taxane chemotherapy can cause skin, hair, and nail side effects, which are often under-reported and can affect patient quality of life.
4 citations,
November 2021 in “Cancers” The document concludes that understanding and managing hair loss in cancer patients is important, and more research is needed for better treatments.
53 citations,
April 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Cancer treatments often cause hair disorders, significantly affecting patients' quality of life, and better management methods are needed.
