Psychological Burden of Alopecia Areata in Cancer Patients: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines the psychological burden of alopecia areata (AA) in cancer patients, highlighting its distinct and unpredictable nature compared to chemotherapy-induced hair loss. AA contributes to significant distress, anxiety, depression, and body image disturbance, often disproportionate to the visible extent of hair loss. The review emphasizes the need for integrated psycho-oncological care, recognizing AA as a psycho-oncological concern rather than just a cosmetic issue. It calls for comprehensive assessment and management strategies, including dermatologic evaluation, psychoeducation, and psychosocial support, to improve quality of life for cancer patients. The review also identifies key research gaps, such as the need for cancer-specific epidemiological data and intervention studies on integrated care models.