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Chemotherapy-induced alopecia: psychosocial impact and therapeutic approaches

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Abstract

Despite advances in the treatment of many side effects associated with chemotherapy, alopecia remains an issue that is difficult to resolve. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is a condition that can have profound psychosocial and quality-of-life consequences, resulting in anxiety, depression, a negative body image, lowered self-esteem, and a reduced sense of well-being. Patients who fear CIA may sometimes select regimens with less favorable outcomes or may refuse treatment. When supporting patients with CIA, health care providers should use an individualized approach with a focus placed on the actual moment of hair loss. Education, support groups, and self-care strategies are important components of any management approach. No treatment modality for preventing CIA has been clearly shown to be effective. Recent evidence suggests that new scalp hypothermic regimens may be safe and effective. There remains a critical need for effective new approaches to this problem.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, 736 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, USA

    Paul J. Hesketh

  2. Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care Program, Kingston Regional Cancer Centre, 25 King Street West, Kingston, Ontario, K7L5P9, Canada

    Diane Batchelor

  3. The Wellness Community, 2716 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1040, Santa Monica, CA, 90405, USA

    Mitch Golant

  4. James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 704, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Gary H. Lyman

  5. GlaxoSmithKline, Corporate Commercial Manufacturing R&D, Five Moore Drive, PO Box 13398, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA

    Nelson Rhodes

  6. Sarah Cannon Cancer Center, 250 25th Avenue North, Suite 110, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA

    Denise Yardley

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  1. Paul J. Hesketh
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  2. Diane Batchelor
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Correspondence to Paul J. Hesketh.

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Hesketh, P.J., Batchelor, D., Golant, M. et al. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia: psychosocial impact and therapeutic approaches. Support Care Cancer 12, 543–549 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0562-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0562-5

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