Scalp Tourniquet to Lessen Alopecia after Vincristine

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Abstract
To the Editor: Loss of scalp hair ranging from partial to total baldness is a frequent complication of cancer chemotherapy. This may have profound psychologic effects on children, particularly adolescents, and their families. The use of wigs only partially eases the emotional distress caused by alopecia.A number of chemotherapeutic agents produce alopecia with varying degrees of regularity. The alkaloid, vincristine (Oncovin), is one of the greatest offenders, causing alopecia in 23 to 71 per cent of the patients receiving it,1 2 3 4 and hair loss has been shown to be unrelated to dose.4 Because this drug is useful in many cancers, . . .