Taxotere and permanent hair loss

Debsmisto

I was just curious how many of you that have been treated by taxotere have suffered permanent hair loss? Also how many of you on this regimen used cold caps and do you think it helped? TIA I am about to start with taxotere next week.

ksusan

The reported rate of permanent hair loss with Taxotere is 6-10%.

I had 4 treatments, no cold caps, and no permanent hair loss.

Moderators

Hi Deb! We're sure others will be by to weigh in with their experiences, but we wanted to share this page from the main Breastcancer.org site on Cold Caps and Scalp Cooling Systems.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

ElaineTherese

Hi!

There are a number of threads on this topic. See, for example:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/858813?page=1#post_5070712

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics/787536?page=1

Hope you aren't one of the unlucky ones....

carmstr835

Hello Debsmisto,

I had 6 cycles of taxotere and used the cold cap called dignCap. I lost about 90% of my hair and so far not much has returned and it has been 6 months, however I am still having perjeta and herceptin, not sure if they slow the hair regrow th or not. I did fine during my chemo until 2 weeks after my 6th chemo treatment, that was when I lost most of my hair. I believe the nurse did not apply the dignicap properly nor did she set it cold enough. I complained a lot but she ignored me and said it was fine. I knew it wasn't and after spending $2700 to keep my hair I lost 90% of it in my final chemo cycle. But I can still say I have hair, just very very thin.

Good luck to you I hope your experience is better than mine was.

Leatherette

Hi,

I am @3 months post final chemo, and all of my hair has come back. It is about 1cm long. I did not do cold capping.

OCDAmy

I had four rounds of TC. I never lost all my hair and its coming back in well. I didn't cold cap.

lcookster

I was Stage 1 but my oncotype score indicated chemotherapy would be helpful in warding off a recurrence. I am 7 months post-chemo infusion. I did not use a cold cap. Honestly, my hair looks pretty bad. My husband and my friends agree. The hair I do have is very thin, with scalp showing. Large bald spot on the crown and back of the head. Very high forehead and very receded at the temples. Basically, it looks like male pattern baldness but with thin hair in the rest of the areas of my head. The hair on the top grew to about 3/4 of an inch and then just stopped growing. My oncologist said that at this stage, i probably have permanent hair loss. I saw my surgeon last week (Mass General) and she said she had not seen anything like it. I am trying not to panic. I have never been particularly vain but this is not what I expected. never wanted to wear a wig but at this point I am making an appointment. I had read about the possibility of permanent alopecia from Taxotere but was told it was very rare. Recently I have seen the percentages rise. I am very grateful to have had treatment and certainly happy to be alive. But I am also disappointed about the hair loss. Those two feelings are not mutually exclusive. Well meaning people tell me to be glad I got the treatment (I sure am!) but it is easy to be dismissive of hair loss when you still have plenty of it on your head.

Bosombuddy101

What an absolute nightmare for any woman to go through! Let's roll the dice and see if you're one of the unlucky "few" to be permanently bald. It bothers me when I read that medical professionals who see all kinds of complications say, "I've never seen anything like this before blah blah blah." Do we have "STUPID" written on our foreheads?! This just adds insult to injury.

klvans

I agree. I was told that Taxotere could cause permanent hair loss but was also told in the next breath by the PA that in all her years of treating cancer patients she had never seen a case of it. Sorry but I don't believe it. That kind of b.s. does add insult to injury. If you can afford it and have a friend to help you I say cold cap. It's no guarantee you will keep your hair but it ups the chances of not permanently damaging your hair follicles. It's not easy but in my opinion it's worth it.

Debsmisto

thank you for all of your responses I guess it looks like the possibility is certainly there for permanent hair loss and I'm sorry for those of you who have suffered with permanent hair loss. I have been trying to wear wigs recently and do not like them so if I end up with permanent hair loss it won't be wigs for me I don't suppose

Billb464

my last chemo was December 7th. My hair is prob on top about 2 inches and some parts are longer. It is white, where b4 I had brown hair.

ksusan

My first round of post-chemo hair had a lot that was like fishing line--translucent white, funny texture. My normal hair color and texture mostly returned in the first year.

Diana0418

it’s been almost a year since I finished up all my treatments & the top & crown of my head is extremely thin and baby fine. You can clearly see my scalp. The sides & back are growing, but I keep itshort so I don’t look too weird. I’m so not happy. 4 rounds taxotere & a full yr of herceptin.

Hattiegirl

finished taxotere in august..no hair yet..no eyelashes or eyebrows..havent had to shave legs since june..my hair came out on 11th day after first treatment..all except the short new growth which came out a few days later..good luck hope it goes as well as it can for you!