Topotecan and hair loss

Tina Brown
Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
in Ovarian Cancer #1
Hi
I was wondering if anyone knows whether you lose you hair with Topotecan? This is the chemo I will probably going on next and I would like to know whether I get to keep my hair or not

Thanks Tina xx

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #2
    Yes, Tina,,,,,,Topotecan can cause hair loss
    because it targets fast growing cells....sorry about that....hair loss is my mother's biggest complaint....I always said, if it works....who cares......but oh boy does she care....
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    Lisa13Q said:

    Yes, Tina,,,,,,Topotecan can cause hair loss
    because it targets fast growing cells....sorry about that....hair loss is my mother's biggest complaint....I always said, if it works....who cares......but oh boy does she care....

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • leesag
    leesag Member Posts: 621 Member
    #4
    I know it sounds weird, but....
    I welcomed EVERY side effect when I was on carbo/taxol. I figured if it meant I lost my hair, it meant I was losing cancer cells. My hair has grown in thick and curly....I dread the thought of losing it, but on the other hand.... I'd rather be bald than have cancer!

    Best of luck!

    Hugs and prayers to the universe for you! (and all of us)

    Leesa
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #5
    leesag said:

    I know it sounds weird, but....
    I welcomed EVERY side effect when I was on carbo/taxol. I figured if it meant I lost my hair, it meant I was losing cancer cells. My hair has grown in thick and curly....I dread the thought of losing it, but on the other hand.... I'd rather be bald than have cancer!

    Best of luck!

    Hugs and prayers to the universe for you! (and all of us)

    Leesa

    Thanks everyone
    I guess I will just have to take my chances. It is so hard being on chemo and knowing I will always have to have chemo of some form or another that if I can be spared losing my hair then it isn't quite so bad.

    Tina xx
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #6
    Tina Brown said:

    Thanks everyone
    I guess I will just have to take my chances. It is so hard being on chemo and knowing I will always have to have chemo of some form or another that if I can be spared losing my hair then it isn't quite so bad.

    Tina xx

    I'm with you, Tina.
    Topotekan is probably what I'll start after I get my scan results next week (which I'm terrified about with this CA125 of over 2000!). I was hoping to keep the thin little chemo curls I currently have on my head so I don't need to wear a wig in the hot summer. Oh well. I need chemo to stay alive, and I'll take bald-and-alive or dead-with-hair any day of the week! HA! ♥♥♥
  • GJ92878
    GJ92878 Member Posts: 1
    #7
    TOPETCAN
    Hi,
    I just read your post about starting topetcan and was wondering how it was going. I have stage 3 ovarian cancer and no chemos have worked for me so far. Have you lost your hair yet and do you have any bowel issues? Thanks and god bless, Georgiana
  • Tina Brown
    Tina Brown Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    #8
    GJ92878 said:

    TOPETCAN
    Hi,
    I just read your post about starting topetcan and was wondering how it was going. I have stage 3 ovarian cancer and no chemos have worked for me so far. Have you lost your hair yet and do you have any bowel issues? Thanks and god bless, Georgiana

    Hi Georgiana
    I have not gone back on chemo yet. My numbers came back down so I don't need any chemo. Sorry I can't help. Good luck with finding a chemo that works for you.
    Tina xx
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    Tina Brown said:

    Hi Georgiana
    I have not gone back on chemo yet. My numbers came back down so I don't need any chemo. Sorry I can't help. Good luck with finding a chemo that works for you.
    Tina xx

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #10
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Sheri,
    I started the irinotecan (same as topo) last Monday. They kept saying I needed to watch for loose bowels. So far it is the typical constipation I always have on chemo. Sounds like it is the same for you too. I have had some nausea though, that is not fun. Glad to hear you are not loosing your hair. Keep us posted on the scan results.
    kathleen
  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #11
    Not too bad and no hair loss for me
    I just finished 4 months of topo (3 on 1 off) 4 rounds of that. The only side effect was that I was a bit tired the next day and my legs would be a bit swollen the next day. The swelling didn't really start until the second round. I was able to tolerate this better than any other chemo I've been on. I have also accepted the fact that I will always be on chemo too. J
  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #12
    kayandok said:

    Sheri,
    I started the irinotecan (same as topo) last Monday. They kept saying I needed to watch for loose bowels. So far it is the typical constipation I always have on chemo. Sounds like it is the same for you too. I have had some nausea though, that is not fun. Glad to hear you are not loosing your hair. Keep us posted on the scan results.
    kathleen

    Constipation
    This was always one of my worse side effects. It was the anti-nausea meds that caused it for me. I now get regland (sp?) instead of Zofran or Aloxi.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #13
    jloe said:

    Not too bad and no hair loss for me
    I just finished 4 months of topo (3 on 1 off) 4 rounds of that. The only side effect was that I was a bit tired the next day and my legs would be a bit swollen the next day. The swelling didn't really start until the second round. I was able to tolerate this better than any other chemo I've been on. I have also accepted the fact that I will always be on chemo too. J

    And there is THAT!
    Acceptance, that is. A whole subject unto itself:)

    You have done amazingly well Joanie!

    k
  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #14
    kayandok said:

    And there is THAT!
    Acceptance, that is. A whole subject unto itself:)

    You have done amazingly well Joanie!

    k

    YEP!
    You too. It's amazing what our bodies can tolerate. The mind is another thing.

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