Scalp hypothermia in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Alopecia is a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy, especially in combination with regimens with doxorubicin (Adriamycin). The effect of scalp hypothermia in connection with chemotherapy was evaluated as hair protection in 61 women with disseminated breast carcinoma, where earlier treatment routines had caused wig-requiring alopecia in nearly all patients. The cooling was performed with a gel-helmet (Hypotherm Gel-Kap). Of the 61 patients, 47 (77%) had no or slight, not wig-demanding hair loss, and 14 (23%) had severe (wig-demanding) hair loss. Seven patients had liver dysfunction; in 5 of these severe hair loss was observed; 2 had slight hair loss. Eighty-three per cent of the patients with normal liver function had no hair loss. Treatment tolerance was found to be good, and side effects were minimal. The method is found to be simple, effective and inexpensive, though still not technically optimal.