BACKGROUND: Various systemic agents have been assessed for the treatment of alopecia areata (AA); however, there is a paucity of comparative studies. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare cyclosporine and betamethasone minipulse therapy as treatments for AA with regard to effectiveness and safety. METHODS: Data were collected from 88 patients who received at least 3 months of oral cyclosporine (n=51) or betamethasone minipulse therapy (n=37) for AA. Patients with ≥50% of terminal hair regrowth in the alopecic area were considered responders. RESULTS: The responder of the cyclosporine group was 54.9% and that of the betamethasone minipulse group was 37.8%. In the cyclosporine group, patients with mild AA were found to respond better to the treatment. Based on the patient self-assessments, 70.6% of patients in the cyclosporine group and 43.2% of patients in the betamethasone minipulse group rated their hair regrowth as excellent or good. Side effects were less frequent in the cyclosporine group. CONCLUSION: Oral cyclosporine appeared to be superior to betamethasone minipulse therapy in terms of treatment effectiveness and safety.
Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Betamethasone* ; Cyclosporine* ; Hair ; Humans ; Pulse Therapy, Drug ; Self-Assessment ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Anagen Effluvium is one of the typical side effects of chemotherapy, which is completely reversible. However, there are growing numbers of chemotherapy-induced permanent alopecia (CIPAL) which are characterized by an absence of or an incomplete hair regrowth 6-months beyond the cessation of chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to reveal the clinical characteristics of CIPAL patients. METHODS: We retrospectively included 54 cases with CIPAL whom are being diagnosed from January 1996 to December 2011. The age, gender, duration of alopecia, familial history of alopecia, past medical history (including the types of chemotherapy agents), clinical patterns of alopecia and treatment responses were all analyzed. RESULTS: There was no sexual predominance. Mean age of the onset was 31.5 years old. There were two morphological types of CIPAL: diffused (69%) and androgenetic patterned (31%). Cyclophosphamide is the most commonly used chemotherapy agent in both types of alopecia. The response to treatment with topical minoxidil and/or oral finasteride was rather restrictive. CONCLUSION: In some cases of hair loss due to chemotherapic agents, the hair regrowths after the cessation of chemotherapy are rather restricted. This study demonstrated the clinical features of CIPAL. The patterns of CIPAL are either diffused or androgenetic. Thus, it is necessary to consider the possibilities of permanent alopecia which may occur after chemotherapy.
Alopecia* ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Therapy ; Finasteride ; Hair ; Humans ; Minoxidil ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was examined to identify the relationship between mood state, interaction anxiety, and quality of life of cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia. METHODS: The participants were 115 cancer patients. Data were collected from August to December 2012, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, t-test, ANOVA and Duncan's multiple test. RESULTS: The mean scores of mood state (119.17+/-35.94), interaction anxiety (45.57+/-11.73), and global health status (38.08+/-22.45), functional scales (45.41+/-20.98), symptom scales (57.96+/-18.28) in quality of life were moderate or below. Negative correlations were found between mood state and quality of life, interaction anxiety and quality of life, but positive correlation were found between mood state and interaction anxiety. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that mood state and interaction anxiety are important factors to improve quality of life of cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced alopecia, And it is meaningful in that this study prepared basic data for development of nursing intervention programs for effective management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.
Alopecia* ; Anxiety* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Nursing ; Quality of Life* ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Platinum-based chemotherapy has conferred a modest but significant survival benefit and the introduction of newer drugs has led to achieve higher response rate in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We performed a phase II trial in order to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine (Navelbine) and cisplatin in advanced NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with previously untreated, unresectable stage IIIB or IV NSCLC with measurable lesion (s) were eligible for entry into the study. NP chemotherapy consisted of intravenous vinorelbine 25 mg/m2, on day 1 and 8, and intravenous cisplatin 80 mg/m2 on day 1; this cycle was repeated every three weeks. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients were enrolled in the study between July 1999 and Feb 2000. Of the 30 patients deemed eligible for analysis, thirteen patients achieved a partial response and thirteen showed a stable disease. The overall response rate was 43.3%. The median duration of response was 5.7 months (95% CI: 2.8~8.5 months). The median time to progression was 7.6 months (95% CI: 5.5~9.7 months) and the overall median survival time was 15.1 months (95% CI: 9.8~20.4 months) in the intent-to-treat analysis. Chemotherapy-related grade 3 or 4 toxicities were anemia in 1.5%, leukopenia in 4.5%, nausea/vomiting in 2.3%, alopecia in 13.3%, and neurotoxicity in 3.3%. CONCLUSION: The combination of vinorelbine and cisplatin chemotherapy seems to be active and fairly tolerable in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Alopecia ; Anemia ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Cisplatin* ; Drug Therapy* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Leukopenia

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of penis. Methods: A total of 33 patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of penis undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone or combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from May 2015 to June 2021 were enrolled retrospectively. All the patients were male, with a median age (M(IQR))of 49.0 (13.5) years (range: 30 to 70 years). According to the therapy protocols, patients were divided into the chemotherapy group (16 cases) and the triple combination group (17 cases). Log-rank test was used to compare the progression-free survival and overall survival. χ² test or Fisher exact method was used to compare the objective response rate, pathological down-stage rate and adverse events between these two groups. Results: The follow-up time was 28.1(19.2) months (range: 1.5 to 33.4 months). Patients of triple combination group were observed significantly longer progression-free survival (30.0 months vs. 8.2 months, χ²=3.998, P=0.046) than those of chemotherapy group. The median overall survival of the triple combination group and chemotherapy group were not reached and 15.2 months (χ²=3.298, P=0.069), respectively. Although there was no significant difference in the subsequent surgical resection rate between these two groups (12/17 vs.11/16, P=1), the objective response rate and the pathological complete response rate in triple combination group were significantly higher than in chemotherapy group (13/17 vs. 6/16, χ²=5.125, P=0.024; 6/7 vs. 0, P=0.001). The main common grade 1 to 2 adverse events in the triple combination group were alopecia (16 cases), anemia (15 cases), and nausea (14 cases). The main common grade 1 to 2 adverse events in the chemotherapy group were anemia (14 cases), alopecia (12 cases), decreased appetite (12 cases), and nausea (11 cases). The incidence of adverse events ≥grade 3 was similar in the triple combination group and chemotherapy group (8/17 vs. 6/16, χ²=0.308, P=0.579). There was no grade 3 adverse event in both groups. Conclusion: Compared with traditional chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy combined with toripalimab and nimotuzumab provides longer progression-free survival and similar toxicity for unresectable stage Ⅳ squamous cell carcinoma of penis.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/drug therapy* ; Alopecia ; Anemia

PURPOSE: To estimate the effect and toxicity of bimonthly low-dose leucovorin (LV) and fluorouracil (5-FU) bolus plus continuous infusion(LV5FU2) with docetaxel combination chemotheraphy in patients with inoperable or postoperative relapsed gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 27 patients are enrolled in this study. LV 20 mg/m2 (bolus), 5FU 400 mg/m2 (bolus), 5-FU 600 mg/m2 (24-hour continuous infusion) on day 1, 2, 15, and 16, docetaxel 60 mg/m2 (1-hour infusion) on day 15 every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Total of 141 cycles were administered and response rate were 36.8% with 2 complete response (10.5%) and 5 partial response (26.3%) in 19 evaluable patients. The median response duration is 8.1 months (95% CI, 4.0~12.1). The median progression-free survival time is 6.7 months (95% CI, 5.0~8.5) and the median overall survival time is 11.9 months (95% CI, 4.8~19.1). The grade 3-4 toxcity of neutropenia (24.8%) and anemia (11.3%), neutropenic fever (2.8%) is observed. The grade 1 toxcity of injection site reaction is observed all patients and the grade 1-2 toxcity of alopecia is observed 60%. CONCLUSIONS: LV5FU2 with docetaxel combination chemotheraphy is effective and tolerable in patients with inoperable or postoperative relapsed gastric cancer.
Alopecia ; Anemia ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Fever ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Leucovorin ; Neutropenia ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Taxoids

With the development of chemotherapeutic agents and bone marrow transplantation, high dose conditioning chemotherapy before bone marrow transplantation, such as busulphan, have become more widely used. Of the side effects following chemotherapy, the cutaneous side effects of hair loss occur in high incidence. Alopecia following chemotherapy was generally known to recover completely in spite of subtle changes to the hair shaft. However, we recently experienced five cases of permanent incomplete regrowth of hair after cessation of conventional chemotherapy or high dose conditioning chemotherapy. In Korea, permenant alopecia following chemotherapy has not yet been reported and we reviewed them with the possible risk factors such as duration and kind of chemotherapeutic agents.
Alopecia* ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Busulfan ; Drug Therapy* ; Hair ; Incidence ; Korea ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: In attempt to provide a feasible chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced gastric cancer patients, the combination of cisplatin, epirubicin, leucovorin and fluorouracil (PELF) has been developed. A trial was performed to confirm the clinical activity, in terms of response rate and toxicity and duration of survival, of the PELF combination chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1995 to July 1997, patients with measurable unresectable and/or metastatic gastric cancer received PELF combination chemotherapy. The regimen consisted of cisplatin 40 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 5; epirubicin 30 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 5; 5-fluorouracil 300 mg/m2 and leucovorin 20 mg/m2 IV on days 1 through 4. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. RESULT: Among 21 evaluable patients, 1 patient achieved complete response (5.3%) and 8 patients, partial response (42.1%). The median survival of overall patients was 36 weeks, the median time to progression of 21 evaluable patients was 27 weeks. There was severe myelosuppression; leucopenia 73.1%, WHO grade 3~4 11.5% of cycles. Non-hematologic toxicities were also severe nausea or vomiting in 100% of patients, grade 3~4 13.0% of patients, alopecia in 91.3% of patients, grade 3~4 52.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the PELF combination is effective in overall response rates. However, it is not recommended for routine clinical use because of its toxicities. Further phase III study will be warranted.
Alopecia ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Epirubicin ; Etoposide* ; Fluorouracil* ; Humans ; Leucovorin* ; Nausea ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Vomiting

Alopecia due to metastatic skin cancer is a rare form of cutaneous metastasis and it should be considered as a diagnosis of localized alopecia. It also signifies the failure of treatment of the primary cancer. A 51-year-old Korean woman presented with multiple pea-sized smooth hairless nodules and an ulcerated nodule on the parietal scalp regions. About two and a half years ago, she underwent an operation and chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma. The tumor cells seen in the scalp nodule were the same as those seen in the primary tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of secondary alopecia due to cutaneous metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma in Korean dermatological literature.
Alopecia* ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Rabeprazole ; Scalp* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND: Recently, inireaing numbers of chemotherapeutic agens are being used to treat cancer patients. Mucocutaeous complications are commonly sen in association with the administration of these medicaticins. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a study in cancer chemotherapy patient so determine the suspected chemotherapeutic agents ancl frequency of various mucocutaneous side effects in these patients. METHODS: The study involved 140 patients admitted from Decerrae 1993 to September 1994 for cancer chemot herapy at Korea University Guro Hospital. RESULTS: The mucocutaneous side effects during chemotherapy were alopecia(55%), hyperpig mentation(32.9%), stomatitis(20%), phlebitis(12.9%), flushing(8.6%) descending order. Visual grade II, IV alopecia patients were most common, but as the chemot retpy cycle increased so, the severer the alopecia. Although the onset of the alopecia were variake many patients experienced alopcia within 17 to 24 days after the start of chemotherapy. Serpeitie supravenous fluorouracil hyperpigmentation were commor,(17.9%), Diffuse and longitudinal or horizontal band like nail pigmentation were observed, and, pigmented macules were also observei, epecially on the palms and digits. Stomatitis usually developed within 10 days after the start of chemotherapy and it persist ed for about 7 days and the most of the lesions were resolved spor Laeously. Other clinical manifestations accompanied with chmotherapy were tinea infection(16.4%), acne(7.1%), oral thrush (7%), white nail band(4.3%), pruritus(2.9%) in descending order. CONCLUSION: So, physiciars need to be aware of the widely divergnal cutaneous reactions which may occur with the use of antiancer medications.
Alopecia ; Candidiasis, Oral ; Drug Therapy* ; Fluorouracil ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Korea ; Pigmentation ; Stomatitis ; Tinea