#56532 06-19-2005 02:59 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 | Hi again, Like I stated before I have so many ??'s. I started losing my hair after treatment. Doctors could not tell me why other than maybe the lack of nutrition for so many months.Thyroid fx was normal. I was pregnant at the time of 70 radiation tx and alot of people tell me that the hormones of pregnancy caused it. I am having trouble digesting that because this is my 3rd pregnancy.
Anyone??? Thanks, Mary
Dx June 2004 stage III right tonsil 1 node involved, 70 radiation tx completed 08/20/04, no chemo or surgery, 32 years old and 26 weeks pregnant at dx and tx. & non-smoker and non-drinker
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#56533 06-19-2005 03:44 PM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 118 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 118 Likes: 1 | My chemo/ Erbitux/radiation treatments were completed April 27, and I began losing hair about four weeks later. Only in the past few days has the loss decreased and the sensitivity in my scalp abated. No thyroid problem. I also lost hair after my second child was born. Doctors have not pinpointed the cause. My nutrition was very good throughout my cancer treatment and I did not lose weight. Wish I could be more helpful.
Be well. Zenda 12/04 SCC Tonsil, Stage IV T3N2BM0. Mod RND, resect right oropharynx, free-flap, resect right tongue base. Erbitux,Docetaxel,RT X 33. 6/08 Mets lung, hilar lymph node:Carboplatin, Docetaxel. 2010 2nd clinical trial:lung clear, node stable. ORN,trismus,dysphagia. 8-10/2012 cryoablation,brachytherapy,cyberknife to lymph node. 12/12 NED. 6/13 Mets RLL lung: 8/13 cyberknife. 11/13 NED.
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#56534 06-19-2005 05:48 PM | Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 2 Member | Member Joined: Oct 2004 Posts: 2 | I comleted my chemo and radiation on Jan.3, 2005 and I am still loosing my hair. Still wearing a wig full time since January. Never lost all my hair just at the nap of my neck. We all know this is not the worst thing in life I had a tumor on my vocal cord and still waiting for my voice to return 100%. I also know it might not be 100% in the future. But I have life. | | |
#56535 06-20-2005 01:00 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Mary,
I thought you indicated in your earlier posts that you did not have chemo, so I'm guessing there's some other cause, such as nutritional deficiencies. Radiation tends to cause hair to fall out only in the specific area that is radiated.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#56536 06-20-2005 04:38 AM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Mary, I found this site that has information you might use. Notably stress a possible cause jumps out at me. American Academy of Family Physicians. Hair
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#56537 06-20-2005 08:04 AM | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 118 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 118 Likes: 1 | Mark, Thanks for the helpful site! I'm sure Mary will find it informational as well.
Be well. Zenda 12/04 SCC Tonsil, Stage IV T3N2BM0. Mod RND, resect right oropharynx, free-flap, resect right tongue base. Erbitux,Docetaxel,RT X 33. 6/08 Mets lung, hilar lymph node:Carboplatin, Docetaxel. 2010 2nd clinical trial:lung clear, node stable. ORN,trismus,dysphagia. 8-10/2012 cryoablation,brachytherapy,cyberknife to lymph node. 12/12 NED. 6/13 Mets RLL lung: 8/13 cyberknife. 11/13 NED.
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#56538 06-20-2005 02:39 PM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 | Cathy, you are right! I did not have chemo just the 70 rad. tx. So I am at a loss of why I am losing hair. The hair loss has subsided and new hair is growing back. The doctors aren't very concerned but it is my vanity that is suffering. Thanks to all for the replies and the website. Mary
Dx June 2004 stage III right tonsil 1 node involved, 70 radiation tx completed 08/20/04, no chemo or surgery, 32 years old and 26 weeks pregnant at dx and tx. & non-smoker and non-drinker
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#56539 06-20-2005 10:20 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 80 Senior Member (75+ posts) | Senior Member (75+ posts) Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 80 | Mary, I also saw this site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=A1678D65-8474-4028-85679F53CFE96FD5 It discusses hair loss during radiation. I hope it provides some useful information. Jennifer
Jennifer Stage II (T2N0M0) SCC diag 4/21/05; partial glossectomy & selective neck dissection (good margins and lymyph nodes negative), jaw split, 1/3 of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - 5/23/05; 42 years old at diagnosis
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#56540 06-20-2005 11:31 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I have shaved my head for years anyway so when they warned me about hair loss I kind of laughed that one off. Different chemos cause different amounts of hair loss (some cause none) and it is usually temporary. The hair will grow back, mainly with possibly a slightly different texture.
The hair follicles in the radiation field itself, however, were another matter. I no longer have to shave my neck, except for a few silly hairs scattered hear anfd there, the rad basically killed the hair follicles (and that was 360 degress I might add)
H&N radiation is also a great cure for snoring I might add.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#56541 06-21-2005 01:16 AM | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 49 | So funny you should mention snoring. My husband said I never snored until the radiation!
I was told by the doctors I would not have to be concerned with hair loss. It's amazing the different opinions given by docs.
Thanks for those websites!
Dx June 2004 stage III right tonsil 1 node involved, 70 radiation tx completed 08/20/04, no chemo or surgery, 32 years old and 26 weeks pregnant at dx and tx. & non-smoker and non-drinker
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