Effectiveness of scalp cooling in reducing alopecia caused by epirubicin treatment of advanced breast cancer.

The value of scalp cooling in the prevention of alopecia was investigated in 32 patients with advanced breast cancer who were given a mean of four courses of 40-80 mg/m2 of epirubicin. None of the 15 patients free from liver metastases who received scalp cooling required a wig, whereas four of eight similar patients who did not receive scalp cooling did require a wig. Abnormalities of aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase pretreatment were predictive for reduced efficacy of scalp cooling, but not a contraindication to its use.