Managing Alopecia Caused by Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer

Alopecia caused by adjuvant endocrine therapy is common but has not been as well characterized as that associated with chemotherapy. In a retrospective cohort study at a single U.S. cancer hospital, investigators identified 112 women with alopecia who had received adjuvant endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors [AIs]), but not chemotherapy, for breast cancer (median age, 60; 76% white, 9% Asian, 6% black). The efficacy of topical 5% minoxidil was assessed with photographs of the scalp taken at baseline and 3 or 6 months.

Alopecia resulted from AIs or tamoxifen in 67% and 33% of participants, respectively. The pattern of hair loss resembled androgenic alopecia (increased shedding, with the affected follicles producing shorter, f…