Н. A. Ognerubov 1, S. V. Barsukov 2,3
[1]Penza Institute for Advanced Medical Education - branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education,
Penza, Russia;
[2] Oktyabrskaya 23 Medical Center LLC, Tambov, Russia;
[3]State Budgetary Institution "Tambov Regional Oncologic Clinical Dispensary", Tambov, Russia.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of scalp hypothermia (SHH) for prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in cancer patients.
From June 2016 to September 2023, 75 patients with stage I-IV breast cancer, median age - 44.1 years, were under observation. All patients were treated with cytotoxic therapy at different stages of treatment. Local GTCG with Orbis II device (Paxman Coolers, UK) was used for alopecia prophylaxis.
Stage I of tumor process was observed in 18 (24%) patients, II - in 22 (29.3%), III - in 30 (40%), IV - in 5 (6.7%). The patients received 5 different regimens of polychemotherapy in neo- and adjuvant variants. Taxane-containing combined regimens prevailed among them. 364 sessions of GTCG of patients were performed (4-8 sessions in each patient), 48 (64%) patients received the procedure in full. Complete hair preservation was noted in 43 (57.3%) patients. Grade 1 alopecia was observed more frequently - in 19 (25.4%), and grade 2 - in 9 (12%) people. Out of 5 patients with disseminated cancer, grade 2 alopecia was
observed in 1 patient, grade 3 - in 3 patients, and grade 4 - in 1 patient. Side effects were observed in 16% of treated patients. Among them the most frequently noted were cold sensation and slight headache. Due to cold helmet intolerance 3 patients refused its use. No cancer metastases to the scalp were detected during the observation period. During the procedure, almost all patients reported a high level of comfort.
Local GTCG is an effective method of preventing alopecia induced by cytotoxic therapy in breast cancer patients. It allows to increase psychological and social adaptation of patients.
breast cancer, chemotherapy, alopecia, prophylaxis, hypothermia
