Results of 20- versus 45-min post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

For patients, chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most distressing side effects of treatment. Scalp cooling can prevent or minimise CIA; the results may depend on the duration of cooling. Since a previous study on post-infusion cooling time in patients treated with docetaxel chemotherapy found no difference between 90 and 45 min, we investigated whether hair-preserving results could be maintained with a shorter post-infusion cooling time.

METHODS:

In this prospective, multi-centre randomised study, 134 patients who started treatment with docetaxel 75-100 mg/m(2) in a 3-weekly schedule were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a post-infusion cooling time of 45 or 20 min. The primary end point was the need for a wig or other head covering as assessed by the patient. A visual analogue scale (VAS) with a range from 0 (not tolerable) to 10 (very tolerable) was used to measure tolerance.

RESULTS:

Scalp cooling results were similar for 45- and 20-min post-infusion cooling times. Thirty-three out of 45 patients (73 %) treated with 20 min of post-infusion cooling did not need a form of head covering, compared with 41 out of 52 patients (79 %) treated with 45 min of post-infusion cooling (p = 0.5). The procedure was well tolerated (mean visual analogue score 8.3). Six patients stopped due to intolerance during the first treatment cycle.

CONCLUSIONS:

A 20-min post-infusion cooling time is effective and tolerable for patients treated with scalp cooling to prevent docetaxel-induced alopecia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION:

Trialregister.nl Identifier, NTR 1856.

• Authors: Manon M C Komen, Wim P M Breed, Carolien H Smorenburg, Tjeerd van der Ploeg, S H Goey, Jacobus J M van der Hoeven, Johan W R Nortier, Corina J G van den Hurk
• Journal: Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (Support Care Cancer) Vol. 24 Issue 6 Pg. 2735-41 (06 2016) ISSN: 1433-7339 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 26805558 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Taxoids
• Docetaxel

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alopecia (chemically induced, prevention & control)
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Docetaxel
• Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions (prevention & control)
• Female
• Humans
• Hypothermia, Induced (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Outcome Assessment, Health Care
• Prospective Studies
• Scalp
• Taxoids (adverse effects)