title: Short post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The patient impact of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is high. Scalp cooling is applied to reduce CIA. The potential optimum post-infusion cooling times (PICTs) are currently unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scalp cooling was applied in 53 patients receiving docetaxel chemotherapy with 90-min PICT (observational part). Also 15 non-scalp-cooled patients were included. If hair preservation was observed in >80 % of the patients, randomisation between 45 and 90-min PICT was planned. Patients reported tolerance of scalp cooling and use of head covering.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Observational study: 81 % of scalp-cooled patients did not require head covering versus 27 % of non-scalp-cooled patients. Randomised study: 79 % of 38 patients with 90-min PICT did not need head covering versus 95 % of 38 patients with 45-min PICT (p = 0.04). Scalp cooling was very well tolerated (visual analogue scale = 79).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 45-min PICT can be recommended in 3-weekly docetaxel regimens with a dose of 75 or 100 mg/m(2), administered in 60 min. The shorter PICT is a major advantage in time investment for patients. Patients (women and men) who receive docetaxel, except combined with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (taxotere, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (TAC)) should be informed about the protective effect and high tolerability of scalp cooling in avoiding CIA.
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Eindhoven Cancer Registry/Comprehensive Cancer Centre South, PO Box 231, 5600 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands. c.vd.hurk@ikz.nl
authors.forename: C J G
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van den Hurk
authors.forename: W P M
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Breed
authors.forename: J W R
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Nortier
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel