Efficacy of the DigniCap System in preventing chemotherapy-induced alopecia in breast cancer patients is not related to patient characteristics or side effects of the device.
BACKGROUND
The DigniCap System is an effective scalp cooling device for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia in early breast cancer patients.


AIM
This prospective study was designed to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of the device, to explore potential factors associated with its efficacy and to collect data on patient perceptions and satisfaction.


METHODS
Between January 2016 and June 2018, 163 early breast cancer patients eligible for adjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled. Hair loss was assessed using the Dean scale, where a score of 0-2 (hair loss ≤50%) was defined as successful.


RESULTS
Hair preservation was successful in 57% of patients in the overall series. The proportion was even higher (81%) in the patient subgroup treated with a paclitaxel and trastuzumab regimen. Side effects (feeling cold, headache, head heaviness, scalp and cervical pain) were mild to moderate and did not correlate with the rate of hair loss. Lifestyle, anthropometric factors and hair characteristics failed to be associated with device efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
The DigniCap System was well tolerated and found to be effective in preventing alopecia in early breast cancer patients. Our study failed to identify factors other than type of chemotherapy regimen associated with hair preservation.
['Pedersini|Rebecca|R|https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6603-0814', 'Fornaro|Carla|C|', 'di Mauro|Pierluigi|P|', 'Bianchi|Susanna|S|', 'Vassalli|Lucia|L|', 'Amoroso|Vito|V|', 'Gelmi|Maria|M|', 'Ardine|Mara|M|', 'Rodella|Filippo|F|', 'Cosentini|Deborah|D|', 'Dalla Volta|Alberto|A|', 'Turla|Antonella|A|', 'Pierini|Michela|M|', 'Motta|Paolo|P|', 'Conti|Elisa|E|', 'Simoncini|Edda Lucia|EL|', 'Berruti|Alfredo|A|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000505:Alopecia D000970:Antineoplastic Agents D001943:Breast Neoplasms D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007036:Hypothermia, Induced D008875:Middle Aged D017060:Patient Satisfaction D011446:Prospective Studies D011788:Quality of Life D012535:Scalp D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemotherapy-induced alopecia breast cancer scalp cooling nursing oncology