TLDR Cryotherapy helps reduce chemotherapy side effects but needs more research for best use.
The review concluded that regional hypothermia (cryotherapy) effectively reduced chemotherapy-induced complications such as oral mucositis, alopecia, ocular toxicity, and onycholysis. Despite the positive findings, the studies reviewed had limitations, including the lack of blinded control groups and inconsistent clinical endpoints. The review emphasized the need for further research to identify which cancer patient subgroups benefit most, determine the optimal cooling duration, and enhance the usability of cooling devices.
52 citations,
May 2013 in “Supportive Care in Cancer” Scalp cooling significantly reduces hair loss in chemotherapy patients.
67 citations,
August 2010 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Some chemotherapy can cause permanent hair loss.
155 citations,
March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” Scalp cooling might reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but evidence is weak and other treatments are being tested.
40 citations,
September 2007 in “Bone marrow transplantation” Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause permanent hair loss in stem cell transplant patients.
36 citations,
April 1994 in “PubMed” Cyclosporine A slows down hair loss from chemotherapy in mice, while dexamethasone increases hair loss but speeds up regrowth.
53 citations,
June 1982 in “The BMJ” Cooling the scalp below 22°C before and during chemotherapy can help prevent hair loss.
10 citations,
July 2016 in “Clinical and translational science” Sorafenib often causes mucositis, hand-foot syndrome, rash, alopecia, diarrhea, and fatigue.
52 citations,
June 2014 in “Journal of Pain and Symptom Management” Cryotherapy helps reduce chemotherapy side effects but needs more research for best use.
