Irinotecan Hair Loss: Get Answers to Your Questions

Hair loss of 50- 100 strands regularly is natural and goes unnoticeable as the new hair grows to replace the gap. But clinical hair loss starts to become visible when the hair growth cells get affected due to certain conditions, including anti-cancer medications. The hair follicles turn weak, and hence there is a surge in hair fall. It generally starts with hair thinning or alopecia, which gradually increases. Let’s find out the connection between irinotecan and hair loss.

Irinotecan is available as an intravenous injection, which is given together with other medicines to treat patients suffering from colon and small-cell lung cancer. The injection is either used alone or with fluorouracil. If used for treating small cell lung cancer, it is used with cisplatin. Irinotecan interferes with the growth of cancer cells and destroys them, but it also affects the normal cells, which leads to side effects.

Hair loss occurs as a common side effect of Irinotecan. Hair starts to fall or thin out in the 3rd or 4th week after the first dose of irinotecan, although it may happen earlier. Hair may completely fall out. Patients may also have thinning and loss of eyelashes, eyebrows and other body hair. In most cases, hair loss may not be of serious concern as the hair grows back after completing the irinotecan course.

The thought of chemotherapy makes us think about our hair. The cancer patient ads shown on television are mostly patients with a bald head. Not all chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss, and the severity of hair loss can depend on a variety of factors. Stem cells in the hair follicles help to produce new hair. These cells multiply more quickly than other body cells, and because of this, they get targeted by chemotherapy agents. Because of this, hair fall occurs.