Permanent Alopecia After Cranial Irradiation: Dose–Response Relationship

In a study involving 26 patients, researchers sought to establish a dose-response relationship between cranial irradiation and the occurrence of permanent alopecia. They assessed 61 scalp regions across these patients, using a 4-point scale to score the degree of hair loss. The study found a significant correlation between the dose received by hair follicles and the development of permanent alopecia (p < 0.001). Additionally, a personal history of alopecia and chemotherapy use showed a borderline significant correlation with permanent hair loss (p = 0.059 and p = 0.068, respectively). Factors such as patient age, family history of baldness, gender, tobacco use, diabetes, and beam energy were not significantly correlated with alopecia. This research provides the first human dose-response data for follicle dose impact on permanent scalp alopecia post-cranial irradiation, aiding in treatment planning to minimize this side effect.