When they say permanent hair loss, do they mean … .

Hi Cindy, What an upsetting thing to hear!! I’m not sure what kind of radiation you’re having (or if that makes a difference) but I had SRS on the left side of my head in April and am happily sporting 2 inches of hair in the radiated area already. After radiation in April, my hair in that area all fell out around mid June and has been slowly growing back in since late July. Not only has it grown back in but it’s thick and aside from a fair amount of white hair which is a cause of Opdivo, it appears to be about the same as it was before. I hope this makes you feel better!

Take care.

My wife had gamma knife radiation therapy to her brain in August 2017.   8 shots to cover her resection cavity in her cerebellum caused a spot about 3 inches in diameter to lose all its hair on the back of her head.   It all grew back normally after a few weeks and continues to be normal now.

I had 10 rounds of gamma over a span of a couple of years. (my brain tried very hard to kill me) I never lost any hair… although I am a bit of a sasquatch. But hey… you never know… you may get lucky! 🙂

Hi, it probably matters how much radiation you receive. I received 48 Gray in 20 fractions to the right side of my face and neck and behind my ear. I lost all of the hair on the right side, including my facial hair across my lip to the left side same for my chin. Only had 25% of facial hair remaining. Made it easy to shave every day for awhile. The hair in the area where the radiation was focused has never returned. the areas that were just a casualty of residual radiation did grow back. Sorry, probably not the answer you are looking for but just my experience. Again, highly important will be the dose you receive. Good luck.

Bill

 I'm glad people have shared their expeiences here. Where are things with your second opinion?

Hi – my husband did not lose any hair from his 5 gamma knife procedures.  He also had radiation to his neck/face and no longer has facial hair in that area.  I'd plan for the worst case scenario and hope for the best.  Take care.

Ann

Hi Cindy…I had two WLEs and 6 wks of radiation to the top/back of my scalp….yes, I"ve experienced permanent hair loss so I so emphasize with whatever you're feeling, what you're going thru…some hair did grow back around the edges of radiated which was a wonderful surprise; my thick nauturally curly hair was (is!) one of my signature features…it's been challenging, thru tiral and error I've found hair-pieces that work and for which I get many compliments…I hope you can do the same and feel GOOD about you…I really really do…I'm really sorry you're having to go thru this

Dx 2A scalp 9.2011; local recurrence 2.2012; 6 wks radiation; lung met 9.2013 – VATS; mets back bilat lungs 12.2013; 2-yr trial ipi/nive (2014 and 2015) – NED for 3+ yrs….