When they say permanent hair loss, do they mean … .
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When they say permanent hair loss, do they mean … .

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › When they say permanent hair loss, do they mean … .

  • This topic has 15 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 7 years ago by lkb.
  • Post
    • November 29, 2018 at 8:03 pm
    sing123
    Participant

    Met with my radiation doc yesterday. At first he'd said that my hair might grow back in the areas he irradiates. Yesterday he said it wouldn't. On top of my head and down the sides. Sob! 

    Has anyone had hair grow back after radiation? 

Viewing 6 reply threads
  • Replies
      • November 29, 2018 at 8:57 pm
      AMcReader
      Participant

      Hi Cindy, What an upsetting thing to hear!! I’m not sure what kind of radiation you’re having (or if that makes a difference) but I had SRS on the left side of my head in April and am happily sporting 2 inches of hair in the radiated area already. After radiation in April, my hair in that area all fell out around mid June and has been slowly growing back in since late July. Not only has it grown back in but it’s thick and aside from a fair amount of white hair which is a cause of Opdivo, it appears to be about the same as it was before. I hope this makes you feel better!

      Take care.

        • December 2, 2018 at 1:53 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks, Amanda! I will have six weeks of the photon beam radiation. So it may not grow back. But I remain ever hopeful! 

      • November 29, 2018 at 10:19 pm
      doragsda
      Participant

      My wife had gamma knife radiation therapy to her brain in August 2017.   8 shots to cover her resection cavity in her cerebellum caused a spot about 3 inches in diameter to lose all its hair on the back of her head.   It all grew back normally after a few weeks and continues to be normal now.

        • December 2, 2018 at 1:54 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks for your reply! I think because my scheduled radiation is the photon beam variety I may have a different outcome.

      • November 29, 2018 at 11:21 pm
      cancersnewnormal
      Participant

      I had 10 rounds of gamma over a span of a couple of years. (my brain tried very hard to kill me) I never lost any hair… although I am a bit of a sasquatch. But hey… you never know… you may get lucky! 🙂

        • December 2, 2018 at 1:55 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks, Niki! Mine is photon beam radiation so I may have a different outcome.

      • November 30, 2018 at 12:41 am
      BillB
      Participant

      Hi, it probably matters how much radiation you receive. I received 48 Gray in 20 fractions to the right side of my face and neck and behind my ear. I lost all of the hair on the right side, including my facial hair across my lip to the left side same for my chin. Only had 25% of facial hair remaining. Made it easy to shave every day for awhile. The hair in the area where the radiation was focused has never returned. the areas that were just a casualty of residual radiation did grow back. Sorry, probably not the answer you are looking for but just my experience. Again, highly important will be the dose you receive. Good luck.

      Bill

        • December 2, 2018 at 1:59 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks, Bill. Mine will be delivered as 30 gy through 30 sessions (6 weeks) so I don’t know but remain hopeful (as I do most of the time in all of this rocky journey!) 

      • November 30, 2018 at 4:32 am
      lkb
      Participant

       I'm glad people have shared their expeiences here. Where are things with your second opinion?

        • December 2, 2018 at 2:01 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        I’m going to Mayo in Jax tomorrow for a second opinion on my immunotherapy (Opdivo) and trying to quickly get 2nd opinion on radiation. Will keep you posted.

        • December 5, 2018 at 4:08 am
        lkb
        Participant

        Good deal. Keep us posted.

      • November 30, 2018 at 1:22 pm
      marta010
      Participant

      Hi – my husband did not lose any hair from his 5 gamma knife procedures.  He also had radiation to his neck/face and no longer has facial hair in that area.  I'd plan for the worst case scenario and hope for the best.  Take care.

      Ann

        • December 2, 2018 at 2:01 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks, Ann!

      • November 30, 2018 at 6:27 pm
      SBeattie
      Participant

      Hi Cindy…I had two WLEs and 6 wks of radiation to the top/back of my scalp….yes, I"ve experienced permanent hair loss so I so emphasize with whatever you're feeling, what you're going thru…some hair did grow back around the edges of radiated which was a wonderful surprise; my thick nauturally curly hair was (is!) one of my signature features…it's been challenging, thru tiral and error I've found hair-pieces that work and for which I get many compliments…I hope you can do the same and feel GOOD about you…I really really do…I'm really sorry you're having to go thru this

      Dx 2A scalp 9.2011; local recurrence 2.2012; 6 wks radiation; lung met 9.2013 – VATS; mets back bilat lungs 12.2013; 2-yr trial ipi/nive (2014 and 2015) – NED for 3+ yrs….

        • December 2, 2018 at 2:04 pm
        sing123
        Participant

        Thanks so much. I will be (hopefully) learning how to rock a head scarf! 

        So much congrats on your NED status.

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