CME Part 1: Hair disorders in cancer patients

Publication date: Available online 14 April 2018
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Azael Freites-Martinez, Jerry Shapiro, Shari Goldfarb, Julie Nangia, Joaquin J. Jimenez, Ralf Paus, Mario E. Lacouture
Cytotoxic chemotherapies, molecularly targeted therapies, immunotherapies, radiotherapy, stem cell transplants, and endocrine therapies may lead to hair disorders (including alopecia, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, pigmentary and textural hair changes). The mechanisms underlying these changes are varied and remain incompletely understood, hampering the development of preventive or therapeutic guidelines. The psychosocial impact of chemotherapy -induced alopecia has been well-documented mainly in the oncology literature, however the effect of other alterations such as radiation-induced alopecia, hirsutism, changes in hair color or texture on quality of life have not been described. This article reviews clinically significant therapy-related hair disorders in cancer patients, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, severity grading scales, patient reported quality of life instruments, management strategies, and future translational research opportunities.