This paper provides a practical guide based on clinical experience for managing chemotherapy-induced alopecia, while emphasizing the lack of evidence-based guidelines.
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is probably one of the most shocking aspects for oncological patients and underestimated by physicians. Among hair loss risk factors, there are treatment-related aspects such as drug dose, administration regimen, and exposure to X-rays, but also patient-related characteristics. To the best of our knowledge, no guidelines are available about CIA management. AIMS AND METHODS: With this study, based on literature background and our clinical experience, we would like to propose a list of actions in order to estimate the risk of hair loss before starting chemotherapy and to manage this condition before, during, and after drug administration and to create a sort of practical guide for dermatologists and oncologists. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need for prospective studies to clarify the mechanistic basis of alopecia associated with these drugs and consequently to design evidence-based management strategies.
Rossi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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