Therapeutic Effect of Superficial Scalp Hypothermia on Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Survivors

The article examines the effectiveness of scalp cooling, specifically superficial scalp hypothermia, in reducing chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) among breast cancer survivors. Scalp cooling, which causes vasoconstriction to limit hair follicle exposure to chemotherapy, has been shown to decrease hair loss by 50% without increasing scalp metastasis risk. A meta-analysis of 2,179 patients revealed that 60.7% experienced less than 50% hair loss with scalp cooling. The success of this method varies based on factors like the cooling device and chemotherapy regimen, with higher efficacy noted in taxane-based treatments. Despite challenges such as study variability and cost, scalp cooling is recommended by cancer guidelines and is generally well-received by patients, with a satisfaction rate of 78.9%. Further research into new technologies and standardized assessment methods is needed to enhance outcomes and understanding of CIA.