Breast Cancer
Conditions
Keywords
Breast Cancer
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to see whether low level laser therapy can help maintain normal hair growth on the scalp in people receiving chemotherapy, which is generally associated with hair loss.
Detailed description
Chemotherapy is a common treatment given to patients with breast cancer. Many chemotherapy drugs cause rapid hair loss. While hair loss is temporary, this side effect is a significant concern for patients. Low level laser therapy has been shown to help make hair grow. It is hoped that it may stop hair loss from occurring. Participants will be receiving 20 to 30 minute laser sessions to their scalp twice a week beginning two weeks before treatment begins until one week past the last chemotherapy session. . Photographs will be taken during each study participant's initial visit, during treatment visits, and one month following the final chemotherapy treatment.
Interventions
PROCEDURELow-Level Laser Therapy
A LLLT device at 670 nm will be used for light application using lasers affixed in a rotating helmet apparatus. Treatment will be given twice weekly prior to commencing chemotherapy and will be administered once a week until one week after the last chemotherapy. administration.
Sponsors
Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center
Northwestern University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Participants must have breast cancer and must be starting chemotherapy with Adriamycin or a taxane-based therapy. * Participants must be 18 years old or older * Participants must be female * Participant must agree to comply with therapeutic and follow-up schedule. * Patient must signed informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
* Participants cannot have sensitivity to the laser light. * Participants cannot have used any topical or oral products to grow hair within 3 months of enrollment to this study. * Participants cannot be pregnant, lactating or planning on pregnancy during therapeutic schedule.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Point Scale to evaluate hair loss | Photographs evaluated weekly during treatment, one month post chemotherapy | The primary objective is to evaluate the ability of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) to prevent chemotherapy induced alopecia in women receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. |
Outcome results
None listed