Radiation hair loss

Hi,

My mother is currently undergoing full brain radiation. This is her 3rd week. They told her that she would probably lose some of her hair and that it may not grow back. Well, it seems as if she is losing all of it. Is this normal? And how much will grow back if at all??

PS...Merry Christmas & God Bless

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  It's normal to lose hair with radiation treatment to the head.  Radiation affects rapidly dividing cells more.  Since hair follicles rapidly divide, they are highly susceptible to radiation and get damaged easily.  This is the reason for the hair loss.  Whether the hair will grow back or not depends on the amount and duration of the treatment.  When given at high and prolonged doses, the damage of radiation to the hair follicles may surpass the ability of the follicles to regenerate, so the hair loss becomes permanent. Just how high or how long the dose of radiation could be before causing permanent hair loss depends on the tolerance of the individual patient.

[annietone]

Thank you. Unfortunately all her hair is gone. We're hoping it grows back.