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Recurring Chemotherapy‐Associated Alopecia Areata: Case Report and Literature Review
Author(s) -
Motl Susannah E.,
Fausel Christopher
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.23.1.104.31918
Subject(s) - alopecia areata , medicine , carboplatin , chemotherapy , hair loss , dermatology , adverse effect , ovarian cancer , cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , oncology , paleontology , cisplatin , biology
A 52‐year‐old woman with stage IIIC ovarian cancer and stage IA uterine cancer experienced recurring alopecia areata of her eyebrows, eyelashes, arms, legs, and pubic area beginning 5 months after completing chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. The condition recurred in a cyclic fashion over the ensuing months. Alopecia is a well‐recognized adverse event associated with chemotherapy; however, to our knowledge, this cyclic pattern of alopecia has not been reported in a patient with cancer. Our report of a cancer survivor who experienced cyclic alopecia areata indicates that this condition may be related to autoimmune changes instigated by chemotherapy. Oncology health care practitioners should evaluate unusual clinical cases of alopecia for underlying pathology.