Hi. I’ve had 3 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. I used the cold cap and my hair has thinned but is okay.
I am being moved onto caelyx. The side effects still state hair loss but the oncology nurse doesn’t think I’ll need the cold cap. I wondered what people’s experience had been?
Thank you
Hi FlocC
I used scalp cooling for my carboplatin and paclitaxel chemo for endometrial cancer. I also had thinning. The hair loss continued for the next 6 weeks following chemo and then settled.
It is the paclitaxel that normally causes total hair loss. The carboplatin tends to cause thinning. I have not had caelyx but my feeling would be to continue with the scalp cooling if at all possible- to preserve what is left. I am not sure how having carboplatin and paclitaxel before the Caelyx may affect the hair loss from it. It may be worth calling the Support Line and asking one of the nurses whether there is any accumulation of the hair loss effect. Scalp cooling is not easy and you have already managed the 3 cycles and had a good effect from it- it would be a shame if the caelyx undid that.
Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin | Macmillan Cancer Support
The above link has some info and states that it may cause hair thinning or it may cause total loss.
I wish you well with your next round of treatment.
Jane
