Question:
Suffering from male pattern baldness and chemo for breast CA is a little hard to take. Since the doctors say I’ll be around long time I’d just as soon do it with hair.
I’ll be on Doxil long-term. Infusion is once every four weeks. Drug supposedly stays in the body for three weeks. So, 1) is it possible to have hair restoration surgery during the week the Doxil is supposed to be out of my system; or, 2) if there was a break in treatment, how long a period would be required for surgery to take place, given recovery times.
My oncologist is totally unfamiliar with hair transplantation, he’s still in the old “plug” days.
Thank you.
Answer:
You’re welcome Nancy.
Any chemotherapy drug can induce hair loss, and may occasionally impair the regrowth of transplanted hairs. However, if having a transplant is a major priority, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a transplant procedure, as long as you understand the less reliable rate of growth.
Posted by Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD, FACS
