title: Results of 20- versus 45-min post-infusion scalp cooling time in the prevention of docetaxel-induced alopecia.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  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.
  
  
  
  A 20-min post-infusion cooling time is effective and tolerable for patients treated with scalp cooling to prevent docetaxel-induced alopecia.
  
  
  
  Trialregister.nl Identifier, NTR 1856.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, Medical Centre Alkmaar, PO Box 501, 1800, AM, Alkmaar, The Netherlands. manon.komen@mca.nl.
authors.forename: Manon M C
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Komen
authors.affiliation: Give Hair a Chance Foundation, Research Department, Knowledge Institute Scalp Cooling, PO Box 231, 5600, AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wim P M
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Breed
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066, CX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carolien H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Smorenburg
authors.affiliation: Science Department, Medical Centre Alkmaar, PO Box 501, 1800, AM, Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tjeerd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Ploeg
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Twee Steden ziekenhuis, Dr. Deelenlaan 5, 5042, AD, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Goey
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jacobus J M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van der Hoeven
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 9600, 2300, RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Johan W R
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Nortier
authors.affiliation: Research Department, The Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, PO Box 231, 5600, AE, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Corina J G
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van den Hurk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077143:Docetaxel; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012535:Scalp; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel
keywords: Alopecia; Chemotherapy; Docetaxel; Scalp cooling; Side effects