Scalp cooling to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Abstract Chemotherapy-induced alopecia causes an important impact on cancer patients and its risk of persistence is currently a considerable issue in cancer survivors. Of the various interventions proposed for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia, scalp cooling has emerged as an effective and safe strategy. This paper aims to provide an overview on scalp cooling and chemotherapy-induced alopecia prevention.

Cascos fríos para la prevención de alopecia inducida por quimioterápicos / Cold caps for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Uno de los efectos adversos que generan mayor impacto psicosocial en los pacientes que se someten a quimioterapia es la pérdida de cabello. El uso de los cascos fríos podría representar una alternativa para prevenir la alopecia. Estos dispositivos producen vasoconstricción en los vasos sanguíneos del cuero cabelludo provocando que los quimioterápicos lleguen en menores concentraciones a los folículos pilosos, y por consiguiente, evitando que los citotóxicos alcancen el metabolismo de las células foliculares. Se propone que este proceso permita prevenir la alopecia, aunque existe una preocupación que es la posibilidad de metástasis en cuero cabelludo si la quimioterapia no llega a este tejido. Partiendo de la consulta de una paciente con diagnóstico reciente de cáncer de mama, surge el interrogante si en pacientes en tratamiento con quimioterapia el uso de cascos fríos en comparación con su no utilización, disminuye la caída del cabello y si aumenta el riesgo de metástasis en cuero cabelludo. Luego de realizar una búsqueda, se analizaron los resultados de tres artículos pertinentes. Se concluye que el uso de cascos fríos en pacientes que reciben quimioterapia representaría una opción válida para prevenir la alopecia sin indicios de problemas de seguridad y se realiza una reseña acerca de la disponibilidad de los cascos fríos en Argentina. (AU)

One of the adverse effects that generate greater psychosocial impact in patients undergoing chemotherapy is hair loss. The use of cold caps could represent an alternative to prevent alopecia. These devices produce vasoconstriction in the blood vessels of the scalp, causing chemotherapeutic agents to reach the hair follicles in lower concentrations, and there forepreventing toxins from being metabolized by the follicular cells. Thus, alopecia could be prevented but, there is a concern that is the possibility of metastasis to the scalp if the therapy does not reach this tissue. Based on a consultation of a patient recently diagnosed with breast cancer, the question arises whether in patients undergoing chemotherapy the useof cold caps compared to their non-use reduces hair loss and whether it in creases the risk of metastasis to the scalp. After performing a search, the results of three relevant articles were analyzed. It is concluded that the use of cold helmets in patients receiving chemotherapy would represent a valid option to prevent alopecia without indications of safety problems. Finally, a review is made about the availability of scalp-cooling devices in Argentina.

Lichen planopilaris-like eruption during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor nilotinib

Abstract Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective as a target therapy for malignant neoplasms. Imatinib was the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor used. After its introduction, several other drugs have appeared with a similar mechanism of action, but less prone to causing resistance. Even though these drugs are selective, their toxicity does not exclusively target cancer cells, and skin toxicity is the most common non-hematologic adverse effect. We report an eruption similar to lichen planopilaris that developed during therapy with nilotinib, a second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia resistant to imatinib. In a literature review, we found only one report of non-scarring alopecia due to the use of nilotinib.

Hematological and dermatological adverse events during hepatitis C treatment with peg-interferon and ribavirin / Eventos adversos hematológicos e dermatológicos durante o tratamento da hepatite C com interferon peguilado e ribavirina

Objective: To evaluate frequency and impact of adverse events, mainly the hematological and dermatological ones, on sustained virological response, and compliance to hepatitis C treatment. Methods: Patients were treated according to the guidelines of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Variables associated with hematological and dermatological adverse events were: age, gender, stage of fibrosis, type of Pegylated interferon, dose reductions, temporary discontinuation and early interruption of treatment. Results: Two hundred and twenty two patients were studied (58% females; age 49±11 years). Dose reductions, temporary interruptions, and early discontinuations were observed in 21%, 8% and 9.5% of patients, respectively. The main adverse events were hematological (anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) and dermatological (pruritus and alopecia). Anemia (Hemoglobin <10g/dL) was associated with female gender (p<0.001), advanced fibrosis (p=0.047) and dose reductions (p<0.001); neutropenia with advanced fibrosis (p=0.003) and temporary discontinuation (p=0.002); thrombocytopenia with advanced fibrosis (p<0.001) and pegylated interferon α2a (p=0.05). Pruritus and alopecia were associated to female gender (p=0.008 and p=0.02) and treatment interruption (p=0.029 and p=0.02).Conclusion: Hematological and dermatological adverse events are frequent in hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. However, despite frequent dose reductions and interruptions, these adverse events did not affect the sustained virological response.

Objetivo: Avaliar a frequência e o impacto de eventos adversos, principalmente hematológicos e dermatológicos, na resposta virológica sustentada e na aderência ao tratamento para hepatite C. Métodos: Os pacientes foram tratados de acordo com diretriz do Ministério da Saúde. Variáveis associadas com eventos adversos hematológicos e dermatológicos foram: idade, sexo, grau de fibrose, tipo de interferon peguilado, reduções de dose, descontinuação temporária e interrupção precoce do tratamento. Resultados: Foram estudados 232 pacientes (58% mulheres; idade 49±11 anos). Reduções de dose, interrupções temporárias e descontinuações precoces foram observadas em 21%, 8% e 9,5% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Os principais eventos adversos foram hematológicos (anemia, neutropenia e plaquetopenia) e dermatológicos (prurido e alopecia). Anemia (hemoglobina <10g/dL) se associou a sexo feminino (p<0,001), fibrose avançada (p=0,047) e reduções de doses (p<0,001); neutropenia com fibrose avançada (p=0,003) e interrupção temporária (p=0,002); plaquetopenia com fibrose avançada (p<0,001) e interferon peguilado α2a (p=0,05). Prurido e alopecia se associaram ao sexo feminino (p=0,008 e p=0,02) e interrupção do tratamento (p=0,029 e p=0,02). Conclusão: Eventos adversos hematológicos e dermatológicos foram frequentes em pacientes tratados com interferon peguilado e ribavirina. Entretanto, a despeito de frequentes reduções de dose e interrupções, estes eventos adversos não afetaram a resposta virológica sustentada.

Clinical and histological study of permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation is rare, but more and more cases have been described, typically involving high doses of chemotherapeutic agents used in the conditioning regimen for the transplant. Busulfan, classically described in cases of irreversible alopecia, remains associated in recent cases. The pathogenesis involved in hair loss is not clear and there are few studies available. In addition to chemotherapeutic agents, another factor that has been implicated as a cause is chronic graft-versus-host disease. However, there are no histopathological criteria for defining this diagnosis yet. OBJECTIVE: the study aims to evaluate clinical and histological aspects in cases of permanent alopecia after bone marrow transplantation, identifying features of permanent alopecia induced by myeloablative chemotherapy and alopecia as a manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease. METHODS: data were collected from medical records of 7 patients, with description of the clinical features and review of slides and paraffin blocks of biopsies. RESULTS: Two distinct histological patterns were found: one similar to androgenetic alopecia, non-scarring pattern, and other similar to lichen planopilaris, scarring alopecia. CONCLUSION: The first pattern corroborates the literature cases of permanent alopecia induced by chemotherapeutic agents, and the second is compatible with manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease on scalp, that has never been described yet. The results contribute to the elucidation of the factors involved in these cases, including the development of therapeutic methods.

Alopecia secondary to anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha therapy

Biologic drugs represent a substantial progress in the treatment of chronic inflammatory immunologic diseases. However, its crescent use has revealed seldom reported or unknown adverse reactions, mainly associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF). Psoriasiform cutaneous reactions and few cases of alopecia can occur in some patients while taking these drugs. Two cases of alopecia were reported after anti-TNF therapy. Both also developed psoriasiform lesions on the body. This is the second report about a new entity described as 'anti-TNF therapy-related alopecia', which combines clinical and histopathological features of both alopecia areata and psoriatic alopecia. The recognition of these effects by specialists is essential for the proper management and guidance of these patients.

Alopecia universalis during treatment with leflunomide and adalimumab - Case report

Alopecia areata is a non-scarring form of alopecia that can be localized or widespread. Its etiology is unknown, but immunological factors are implicated in its pathogenesis. With the more frequent use of anti TNFα biologic drugs, some alopecia areata cases during their use have been described. We report a case of universal alopecia in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis while using adalimumab and leflunomide.

Toxic effects of multiple anticancer drugs on skin

In this study cutaneous toxicities associated With the administration of chemotherapy in combination are discussed. Rapidly growing cells are the targets of chemotherapy, so the skin, hair follicles, and nail matrix are frequently affected by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy skin reactions are more likely toxic than allergic reactions. There are numerous chemotherapy-induced cutaneous reactions that have beelfi described in the literature. In addition to a variety of miscellaneous reactions, 19 major cutaneous reactions were discussed in current study. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical spectrum of all cutaneous toxicities over two years in hospitalized and ambulatory patients in the Department of Pediatric oncology and to establish probable relationship between the reaction and suspected anticancer protocol with the help of WHO [World Health Organization] Common Toxicity Criteria by Grade. The data on the cutaneous toxicities were analyzed by percentile and ranking method The minimal [0.8%] cutaneous adverse effects monitored during the study were Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritis, urticaria wound-infection, erythema multiforme, hand-foot skin reaction, injection site reaction, dry skin. Alopecia was the single most common [64.3%] adverse effect observed during the study, where as the pigmentary changes were the second most common [18.2%] adverse effect monitored. While these side effects are generally not life threatening, they can be a source of significant distress to patients especially alopecia

Thallium poisoning presenting as paresthesias, paresis, psychosis and pain in abdomen.

Due to involvement of multiple systems, thallium poisoning is notorious for complexity and seriousness as symptoms of toxicity are non-specific and diverse. Alopecia and painful neuropathy are its cardinal features, others being gastrointestinal disturbances, encephalopathy, tachycardia, ataxia, hepatorenal and cardiac damage etc. We report a case of thallium poisoning who presented initially with gastrointestinal symptoms and later developed neurological features (peripheral neuropathy and delirium). Various diagnoses were entertained in this case and thallium poisoning was suspected only after he developed alopecia and neuropsychosis. He made a significant recovery by conservative management in spite of delay in diagnosis. We conclude that a high level of suspicion should be kept for thallium poisoning, especially in patients with painful, peripheral neuropathy and gastrointestinal symptoms which appear earlier than alopecia, since prognosis is more rewarding with early diagnosis, leading to complete recovery.

Occurrence and severity of alopecia in patients on combination chemotherapy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and severity of alopecia resulting from combination chemotherapy on cancer patients. The study was conducted during the period 1994-1996 on 58 confirmed cases of malignancies attending the Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, South India. The treatment regimens followed were standard protocols recommended for those malignancies and which are widely adopted. Specific drug combinations, their dosage and routes and schedules of administration were studied. The influence of 20 different treatment regimens, most of them in combination chemotherapy, were studied. The patients studied were not receiving any other medication which could have caused alopecia as observed in the present study. The pathophysiology of the hair, as influenced by the treatment regimens, were studied by examination of samples of the affected hairs under a Leica compound microscope. Alopecia was the most dominant side effect influencing 35 of the 58 patients undergoing the treatment (60%). The severity of alopecia was assessed by grouping them in four distinct grades. Specific drugs and their combinations causing varying degrees of severity were identified. The initiation of hair loss in different treatment regimens were analysed. It is seen that alopecia is an early manifestation of cutaneous side effects of cancer chemotherapy. In a majority of patients, the manifestation initiated after the first or the second cycle of administration of the rapeutic regimen, indicating a time interval of 1 to 8 weeks after the start of chemotherapy. Single agent drugs, when used alone or in combination with immunomodulator drugs seem to cause much less side effects, including alopecia, when compared to multiple drug regimens. Microscopic examination of the affected hair showed trichorrhexis, fragmentation, decrease in diameter and depigmentation of the hair shaft.

Toxicity and side-effects of combination chemohormonal therapy of advanced breast cancer.

Seventy-five female patients suffering from advanced breast cancer were treated with toilet mastectomy, radiotherapy and oophorectomy (if premenopausal) or tamoxifen therapy (if postmenopausal) as well as chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil and prednisone. The most common side-effects of combined chemohormonal therapy were gastro-intestinal (nausea, vomiting, rarely diarrhoea) in 43 patients (57.3%), followed by alopecia in 23 patients (30.6%), myelosuppression in 12 patients (16%), extravasation and thrombophlebitis in 7 patients (9.3%), and mucositis and oral erythema in 3 patients (4%). Side-effects of tamoxifen therapy such as vaginal discharge, bleeding, hot flushes were encountered in 10 patients (13.3%). Hypercalcaemia, tumour flare and hepatic, renal, cardiac, pulmonary and neurological toxicities were not encountered. Improvement of 10-30% in Karnofsky performance status was noted in responders while 20-30% deterioration was observed in non-responders. Combination therapy was mostly well tolerated, side-effects were few and toxicities were temporary and reversible.

Intoxicación por talio: estudio clínico, patológico y toxicológico de 5 casos / Intoxication for thallium: report clinic, pathological and toxicological of five cases

Se presentan cinco casos de intoxicación por talio, tres por intento de suicidio, que presentaron alopecia difusa; en dos la ingestión fue accidental y produjo alopecia, alteraciones gastrointestinales y neurológicas; en estos últimos casos se observaron imágenes radioopacas en metáfisis de tibias. En todos los pacientes la biopsia mostró anexos escasos e hipotróficos con folículos en telógeno, células disqueratósicas, presencia de pigmento en queratina pilar y una banda fibrosa perifolicular, no informada previamente. La intoxicación fue confirmada por la presencia de talio en sangre y orina. El tratamiento fue con D-penicilamina

Intoxicación accidental por talio en un matrimonio: revisión bibliográfica / Accidental thallium poisoning in a married couple: review of the literature

Se presentan 2 casos de intoxicación accidental por talio en un matrimonio que consumió alimentos cocidos con manteca que contenía este metal, conservado en un frasco sin el rótulo adecuado. El diagnóstico de esta afección debe sospecharse en todo enfermo que presenta signos neurológicos de origen oscuro, precedidos por síntomas gastrointestinales. El diagnóstico tricoscópico es un procedimiento sencillo que puede ayudar al diagnóstico precoz. Los éxitos obtenidos con el empleo simultáneo de azul de Prusia soluble, diuresis forzada y hemodiálisis en casos que habían ingerido dosis letales de talio, aconsejan su empleo sistemático, al menos en las formas graves