“Cure alopecia”: results on the first period of use of the Dignicup system in the AORMN

Abstract

Preventing hair loss during chemotherapy has always been the goal of the oncologist's nursing, physician and the patient who has to undergo this treatment. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia, although reversible, is one of the most impacting psychological effects in treatment patients, but the woman's patient has an impact, if possible, even greater. Psychosocial implications and alteration of the body image may affect the acceptance of chemotherapy treatment. (Kome et al, 2013, The Oncologist). Since 1970, various cooling systems have been used to prevent hair loss but with poor results and a high discomfort for the patient. Thanks to the improvement of technology, DigniLife is now used routinely in several centers of excellence in Italy and Europe; Is today the only scalp cooling tool to have been approved by FDA in December 2015. This work want to verify the results obtained during the first period of use of the Dignicup system, in the AORMN Oncology Department (Hospital S. Croce); since from September 15, 2016 to May 15, 2017, no. 40 women who have undergone this treatment. The corporate protocol envisages the selection of all patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer (No. 34) or gynecological cancer (No. 6 cases) who will have to undergo chemotherapy; To date, 24 patients have completed treatment. The first results showed the following alopecia data: Treatment was positive in 81.2% of cases where hair loss was modest (G1= 2 women, G2 = 7 women, G3 = 3 women); while in 18.8% of the cases the treatment failed (G4 = 2 women, G5 = 1 woman), but they continued treatment until the end of the therapy Among patients who have suspended the treatment: 4 patients with hair loss (G4) 1 patient for change therapy 1 patient for cold cough failure 1 patients for cold intolerance+ hair loss (G4) 1 patients per intervention Our partial experience shows that an effective cooling of the scalp and the use of a technologically advanced device such as Dignicup, favoring women in treatment: better collaboration between nurses and patients, better acceptance of chemotherapy, acceptance of Its own body image that tends to not change, the maintenance of its daily and social activities It is clear from the reported data that patients have achieved satisfactory results; The percentage of patients leaving treatment does not give up on a tool that keeps patients more confidence in themselves and in their own image.