Toyama University Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center　

Information on Scalp Cooling to Reduce Chemotherapy Hair Loss

On March 27, 2019, the Paxman scalp cooling system, which aims to reduce the hair loss associated with cancer drug therapy, became the first medical device of its kind to be approved for use in Japan. Cooling the scalp promises to reduce the effects of anti-cancer drugs on the cells that produce hair; it is indicated primarily for patients receiving drug therapy for solid cancers, such as breast cancer.
To date, this system has been used mainly in Europe and North America. With the system’s approval for use in Japan, the head cap has been redesigned for the Japanese market, to achieve even greater reductions in hair loss. At the Chemotherapy Center, we continue working to accommodate patients’ desires to avoid hair loss, and as of March 2021, scalp cooling is now available for breast cancer patients.

The Cooling System in Practice

Ordinarily, the scalp is cooled continuously for 30 minutes before treatment, for the duration of treatment, and for 90 minutes after treatment. The product documentation lists discomfort and headaches due to cooling as adverse events.

Notes: Hair loss reduction may vary depending on how closely the head cap fits the scalp, and effects will vary from patient to patient. Hair loss may still occur even with scalp cooling, potentially resulting in the need for a wig.

Costs

The following costs will be billed alongside the standard medical care covered by national health insurance.
1. Treatment Fee for Scalp Cooling: ¥10,000 (incl. tax) per session
2. Cost of Cooling Cap to Be Used: ¥82,170 (incl. tax) per cap