A new German study concludes scalp cooling is a safe, feasible and an effective treatment in the prevention of chemotherapy induced alopecia (CIA). The paper is being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual meeting (ASCO) from June 3rd to 7th in Chicago, Illinois.
Background
Hair loss is a well-known side effect of many chemotherapy regimens, with patients often claiming it is the most traumatic aspect of their treatment. Scalp cooling provides the only real alternative to hair loss resulting in a high level of retention or complete hair preservation, improving patients’ self-confidence and creating positive attitudes towards treatment. It is thought to work by lowering scalp temperature before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy.
The Paxman scalp cooler is the world leading hair loss prevention system for chemotherapy patients. It has been used by over 100,000 patients in 32 countries and is responsible for helping patients keep their hair and retain normality during chemotherapy. The device was originally developed by a British entrepreneur after his wife underwent chemotherapy in the 1990s.
Dr Christian Kurbacher, Gynecologic Oncologist for Gynecologic Center Bonn-Friedensplatz. will present the results of a study carried out on a Paxman scalp cooling system, at this year’s ASCO congress, one of the world‘s largest cancer platforms.
The abstract will reveal that 53% of patients that used the cold cap before, during and after chemotherapy completely retained their hair. A further 11% only experienced partial hair loss. It will also conclude that any side effects associated with scalp cooling were minor and were completely resolved once the cap had been removed.
The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of scalp cooling in the prevention of chemotherapy induced hair loss. It also looked to obtain detailed information about the safety of using the Paxman scalp cooler.
Investigator comments
Speaking about the results Dr Kurbacher, said: “Scalp cooling has been effective in many countries but it is not always used due to physicians´ concerns regarding safety and feasibility.”
“Our study assessed this in more detail and we were delighted to confirm that the Paxman system offers a feasible, safe and effective treatment in the prevention of chemotherapy induced hair loss amongst breast cancer patients and in female genital tract carcinomas.”
A second abstract about a US scalp cooling alopecia prevention trial (SCALP) will also be presented at congress by Dr Julie Nangia of the Baylor College of Medicine
The multi-center trial, taking place in Dallas, Houston, New Jersey and Ohio, aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Paxman scalp cooler in reducing the incidence of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Two hundred and thirty five patients will be enrolled on the five-year study which will assess things such as overall survival, site of first recurrence and incidence of isolated scalp metastasis. Factors such as wig/scarf use and quality of life will also be monitored.
Source: Paxman Coolers Ltd.
