Bevacizumab - Hair Loss

Hi Charbecca

I have stage 3c and also received carbo/taxol for 4 rounds then Debulking surgery then a further 3 rounds with bevacizumab added on my final infusion followed by 3 weekly bevacizumab for 18 months, I also take Olaparib as I’m braca 1 positive and will be taking these for 2 years . I had no issues with hair loss from the Bev infusions, my hair regrowth was a little slow to come back (about 8 weeks) after the cytotoxic chemo had finished but then it grew very quickly and I’m happy to say it’s much thicker than before lol ! My eye lashes also returned thicker too, the only thinning was my eyebrows which I pencil in as there very wispy and didn’t regrow as before . My last chemo was 1st February (with Bev added) then the Bev on its own started 22nd February I have had about 12 infusions so far and also two visits to the hair dresser since June! X I hope this is of help and good luck going forward x 

HI, I was diagnosed a year ago this month(Stage 4 Ovarian) and have 6 rounds of the same, followed by debulking then another 2 rounds with Bevacizumab introduced in the 2nd round.  This is for a year then if everything ok it will be tablets.  My hair is now thicker than it has ever been and I have been fortunate enough to have no side effects to date.  Hair loss is not a side effect of Bevacizumab.

Hope your treatment continues to be successful.  

Hi Hnickkie

Many thanks for your response - it’s really good to speak to other people who are going through a very similar experience. It’s reassuring to hear that hair loss isn’t a side effect. It isn’t a huge issue for me necessarily but it will be nice to have some normality back into my life.  

Since your chemo finished in February how is your progress monitored. Are you having regular scans or blood tests?

I wish you the very best of luck going forward. 

Hi Trissh

Thanks for your reply.  
I’m certainly looking forward to having something ‘normal’ in my life again after the journey over the last few months even if that is washing and drying my hair

I am interested to know how your progress is monitored through this stage, I didn’t ask my oncologist at our last meeting.  Are you having regular scans/blood tests? 

I wish you well with the rest of your treatment it’s very helpful to speak with other  ovarian cancer patients going through similar journeys.

Hi, I know exactly what you mean!  My hair loss never resulted in bald patches, just thinning.

im having scans every 3mths and the last one showed the two areas with minor desease left after debulking, lung lining and outside of liver, had reduced again.  

it’s always stressful waiting for the scan then the results but I’m thankful for being here after such a stressful year!

keep positive, look after yourself and exercise when you can, this will all help keep a positive attitude. ️

It sounds very positive and I wish you continued progress. 
Thank you for your sound advice. 

Hi Char

I should have given dates! I was diagnosed in July last year and the cytotoxic finished on 1st February this year and the bevacizumab is still on going . Because of this I am still monitored, so every three weeks I have bloods taken Monday,phone consultation on Tuesday then infusion on the Thursday. After a few treatments I asked to be located nearer home as my cancer clinic is over 1 and half hours away! This is why I have phone consultations and the bloods are done at the local hospital as well as the treatment. I asked for this to be  done so it feels like I’m more in control and I won’t let the treatment get in the way of my life! It feels great to have a feeling of normality and please be reassured the bevacizumab is nothing like chemotherapy it’s so much easier to tolerate and when you start looking more like “ yourself “ you do start to feel more like yourself x x ohhh yes forgot I am due a scan next week! I think it’s just a “ let’s have a look” scan loll :o) x x my mantra has been just to look how far you have come and not how long do I have to go x x keep on keeping on lovely x x