Radiation Therapy in 10 Year Old Caused Hair Loss

Dr. Rassman, my son had a medulloblastoma at age 10. He underwent whole brain radiation with a posterior fossa boost. This left him with very little frontal hair and no hair in his inferior occiput. The hair he does have is somewhat thin. Could your type of transplant help? Is there benefit with your method for him over other, standard methods?

Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of brain radiation therapy. It usually occur about two weeks after you have the brain radiation. Hair loss is usually limited to the area of treatment, but patients may occasionally lose all of their scalp hair. Hair loss after radiation could be temporary and it may grow back within weeks to months following radiation. Higher doses of radiation and frequent radiations may damage hair follicles permanently and leave patient with baldness.

In some patients, the hair grows back with a different character. Hair color or character may also change, becoming thinner and more fragile.

If your son did not grow hair one year after radiation therapy, he needs to be evaluated by a hair specialist. If his hair loss is limited to a particular area and he has preserved good quality hair in other areas, he may be a candidate for hair transplant. What I want to know is whether there are any areas where the hair is normal. If the answer is yes, maybe there are things that might be offered.