Share:
Researcher cooling cap prevents hair loss during chemotherapy
Treatment concept "DigniLife" reduces hair loss
About 71,000 women in Germany get new breast cancer each year. Many of them have to undergo chemotherapy with stressful side effects. As a bad side effect most feel the loss of hair. The Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) has been testing the treatment concept "DigniLife" for one year, with which the hair loss can be significantly reduced. It relies on sensor-controlled cooling of the scalp during intravenous chemotherapy. "So far, we have treated 19 patients with therapy and achieved very good results. Most women were very satisfied with it, "says Professor Dr. Tjoung-Won Park-Simon, Deputy Hospital Director and Divisional Head of Gynecologic Oncology. The experiences at the MHH gynecological clinic confirm the studies of the manufacturer. The MHH is the only medical institution in Lower Saxony, where the scalp cooling is offered.
New therapy prevents hair loss. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia) Hair is not just about beauty
For many women, hair is an expression of femininity. During chemotherapy, which in any case significantly reduces the quality of life, the hair gets beyond the beauty beyond meaning. "The affected women often experience the hair loss as a stigma," explains Dr. med. Sophia Holthausen-Markou, Senior Physician at the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy. The gynecologist supports the breast cancer patients psychotherapeutically, psychosomatically and psycho-oncologically in all treatment phases.
Without hair, the disease becomes obvious to the entire social environment. "Those affected can no longer decide who should learn about the disease and who is not. That's a significant loss of self-determination. In addition, living without hair is difficult to integrate into the already altered body image, "says dr. Holthausen-Markou.
Cold protects the hair roots
If the hair can be preserved, that's a big win for the patients. The principle of scalp cooling to prevent hair loss is not new. Already in the seventies there were first steps. Hoods for cooling the scalp were also used at the MHH Women's Hospital in the 1990s - without the desired success. Doctors and nurses are now achieving good results with the new device generation and the "DigniLife" concept from Sysmex. The device in the MHH was donated by the private foundation Roparun. An essential component is a silicone cap worn by the patient during the intravenous administration of chemotherapy. With the aid of this cap, the scalp is cooled to three to five degrees Celsius uniformly, constantly and comprehensively by sensors. "The cold constricts the local blood vessels and shuts down the metabolism," explains Professor Park-Simon. "As a result, the drug is not absorbed so well locally and can not work in full. So the hair roots are spared. "The hair loss can not be completely prevented, but much less hair falls out. More than half of the patients who decide on scalp cooling can refrain from using replacement headwear such as wigs, headscarves or hats. "The success of our most widely used standard breast cancer treatment is particularly good," notes Professor Park-Simon.
Gain in quality of life
This was also the case with Sabine G. The 48-year-old Hanoverian woman was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2014. "The diagnosis is a great shock and the psychological burden during the illness is enormous," she says. When she heard of the possibility of keeping her hair during chemotherapy, she was keen to take advantage of the scalp cooling offer. "The procedure worked well for me. My hair did get thinner, but I never needed a hat or a headscarf, "she recalls. "For me it was a big gain in quality of life, not having to walk around with all the cancer visible to all. The hair was also a preservation of my dignity for me. "The hair was for Sabine G. in the situation a piece of normal life. "This piece of normality also contributes to recovery", she is convinced.
No cash balance
Breast cancer chemotherapy lasts on average for half a year. The most commonly used treatment for breast cancer at MHH includes 16 infusions of cytotoxic drugs. The scalp cooling during intravenous administration costs 85 euros per application and will not be reimbursed by health insurances. Nevertheless, the interest in scalp cooling is great. 60 to 70 percent of affected women want to take advantage of the offer. The device, which can treat two patients at the same time, is almost full. The application is well tolerated. "Overall, the procedure is tolerated very well," says Dipl.-Sozialpädagogin Brigitte Rode, who cares the patients psycho-oncologically. The cooling of the scalp begins half an hour before the infusion and is maintained for about an hour thereafter. "Some women complain of headaches at the beginning of the treatment, but most are surprised at how well they endure the cold," explains Brigitte Rode. That's what happened to Sabine G. "There was a moment when I thought it would be uncomfortable now. But then the temperature rose by half a degree and it was again good to endure. "She is glad that there was the opportunity to keep her hair for her. "I would like many more women to have this opportunity and try the device." (Pm)