The Influence of Various Parameters on the Success of Sensor-Controlled Scalp Cooling in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

January 2015 in “ Oncology Research and Treatment ”

Dörthe Schaffrin-Nabe, Inge Schmitz, Anke Josten-Nabe, Ulrike von Hehn, R. Voigtmann

scalp cooling chemotherapy-induced alopecia hair loss chemotherapy premenopausal status hair density scalp metastases

TLDR Scalp cooling can prevent hair loss in 65% of chemotherapy patients, especially effective in breast cancer patients and certain chemotherapy types.

The study from 2015 examined the success of sensor-controlled scalp cooling in preventing hair loss in 226 cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It found that scalp cooling was effective in 65% of patients, with the highest success in breast cancer patients and those receiving specific chemotherapy regimens. Factors such as premenopausal status, absence of comorbidities, lack of additional medication, no nicotine use, and high hair density were linked to better outcomes. Hair length and treatment did not significantly affect the results. Side effects were mild with a low dropout rate, and no increased risk of scalp metastases was observed. The authors recommend scalp cooling as a supportive therapy and propose the creation of an international database for further research.

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