Studies on the topic:
Effect of a Scalp Cooling Device on Alopecia in Women Undergoing Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2601500
Association Between Use of a Scalp Cooling Device and Alopecia After Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2601503
To prevent hair loss during chemotherapy, patients can have their scalp cooled during the infusion.
If you have to undergo chemotherapy, you may lose all your hair. This may seem like a relatively "minor" problem at first glance. But those who experience such a phase often report great restrictions and suffering. The mere fact of being recognized as a cancer patient in public can be unpleasant and painful. But for those affected themselves, the missing hair can also become an omnipresent symbol of illness.
Accordingly, patients at the Center for Integrative Oncology ZIO often take up the offer of an accompanying therapy to prevent hair loss. Medical Director Dr. Boris Hübenthal reports that many of his patients use the "cold cap" procedure, which the ZIO has been offering for around a year. Women with breast cancer or gynaecological tumors in particular, but also men with cancer, have their scalps cooled during chemotherapy. According to studies, this prevents hair loss in around one in two cases. Hübenthal has even observed a slightly higher success rate at the ZIO. "But of course it's important to say that patients shouldn't get their hopes up too high - it ultimately doesn't work in every case."
Determine yourself
Nevertheless, Hübenthal has had mainly positive experiences with the accompanying therapy so far. "For example, we had a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer during her pregnancy. She was about to get married, she was about to undergo chemotherapy and it was important to her that she could keep her hair. She got married with a full head of hair despite chemotherapy." A patient with prostate cancer was also able to keep his hair thanks to scalp cooling, which was extremely important to him. He was in the middle of his professional life and had constant customer contact. He didn't want to be asked about the chemo by clients and colleagues, as this would have stigmatized and restricted him. He was therefore happy that, thanks to hair preservation, he could decide for himself who should know about his state of health and when.
Hardly any side effects
At the ZIO, patients are offered complementary, adjuvant therapies to cancer treatment. Scalp cooling is one of these. During the cytostatic infusion as part of chemotherapy, the scalp is cooled down to around 15 degrees Celsius using a special silicone cap in which a coolant circulates. This prevents the cytostatic drugs from reaching the hair follicles. The effect of the chemotherapy is therefore limited locally on the scalp. The procedure is therefore not suitable for tumors in the head area. However, according to the current state of knowledge, there are no risks to be feared for all other tumors. Patients may only experience discomfort during the cooling process, which lasts two to three hours. "However, most of those who have opted for this hold out very well and are then also satisfied with the procedure," says Hübenthal.
As the therapy can be carried out at the ZIO during normal care hours, there are no additional costs for patients.