Low Level Laser Therapy for Hair Preservation With Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Summary
The purpose of this study is to see whether low level laser therapy can help maintain normal hair growth on the scalp in people receiving chemotherapy, which is generally associated with hair loss.
Description
Chemotherapy is a common treatment given to patients with breast cancer. Many chemotherapy drugs cause rapid hair loss. While hair loss is temporary, this side effect is a significant concern for patients. Low level laser therapy has been shown to help make hair grow. It is hoped that it may stop hair loss from occurring.
Participants will be receiving 20 to 30 minute laser sessions to their scalp twice a week beginning two weeks before treatment begins until one week past the last chemotherapy session. . Photographs will be taken during each study participant's initial visit, during treatment visits, and one month following the final chemotherapy treatment.
Study Design
Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Intervention
Low-Level Laser Therapy
Location
Northwestern University, Northwestern Memorial Faculty Foundation
Chicago
Illinois
United States
60611
Status
Not yet recruiting
Source
Northwestern University
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01081106
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Laser Therapy, Low-level
Treatment using irradiation with LASER light of low power intensity so that the effects are not due to heat, as in LASER THERAPY. These non-thermal effects are thought to be mediated by a photochemical reaction that alters CELL MEMBRANE PERMEABILITY, leading to increased mRNA synthesis and CELL PROLIFERATION. Low-level laser therapy has been used for a wide variety of conditions, but most frequently for wound healing and pain control.
Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms
Metastatic breast cancer characterized by EDEMA and ERYTHEMA of the affected breast due to LYMPHATIC METASTASIS and eventual obstruction of LYMPHATIC VESSELS by the cancer cells.
Angioplasty, Laser
A technique utilizing a laser coupled to a catheter which is used in the dilatation of occluded blood vessels. This includes laser thermal angioplasty where the laser energy heats up a metal tip, and direct laser angioplasty where the laser energy directly ablates the occlusion. One form of the latter approach uses an EXCIMER LASER which creates microscopically precise cuts without thermal injury. When laser angioplasty is performed in combination with balloon angioplasty it is called laser-assisted balloon angioplasty (ANGIOPLASTY, BALLOON, LASER-ASSISTED).
Carcinoma, Lobular
A infiltrating (invasive) breast cancer, relatively uncommon, accounting for only 5%-10% of breast tumors in most series. It is often an area of ill-defined thickening in the breast, in contrast to the dominant lump characteristic of ductal carcinoma. It is typically composed of small cells in a linear arrangement with a tendency to grow around ducts and lobules. There is likelihood of axillary nodal involvement with metastasis to meningeal and serosal surfaces. (DeVita Jr et al., Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology, 3d ed, p1205)
Mucin-1
Carbohydrate antigen elevated in patients with tumors of the breast, ovary, lung, and prostate as well as other disorders. The mucin is expressed normally by most glandular epithelia but shows particularly increased expression in the breast at lactation and in malignancy. It is thus an established serum marker for breast cancer.
Clinical Trials
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PubMed Articles
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Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare group of diseases characterized by skin fragility. There is no specific treatment, short of protection from trauma, currently available for these patients...
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