Re: Why does chemotherapy cause hair loss and fatigue?

Greetings,
Here is your answer to chemotherapy and hair loss.

Chemotherapy and Hair Loss http://www.sn2000.com/sl/
chemohairloss.htm

Hair loss, occurs because anticancer drugs can affect normal cells, 
including the cells responsible for hair growth. This effect, however, is 
not permanent, and healthy cells grow back normally once chemotherapy 
is completed.
Scalp hairs in the, "anagen" or growing phase (about 90%) is susceptible 
to chemotherapy and radiation. The degree of hair loss depends on the 
chemotherapy drug, the dosage of chemotherapy or radiation, and how it 
is given. 

In Chemotherapy hair loss, starts approximately 2-3 weeks after your first 
dose of chemotherapy, but won't be total until 1-2 months have elapsed. 
Hair loss is reversible and will be back totally about 3-4 months after 
the last chemotherapy dose. Your hair may even grow while you're on 
chemotherapy. This doesn't mean that the chemotherapy isn't working. 
Unfortunately, some of this regrown hair may also fall out. Hair on the 
head is most commonly affected, but hair loss may also occur on the 
face, arms, legs, underarms, and pubic area.

In Radiation only hair that is in a treatment field will be affected with 
hair loss. Generally, the hair loss will begin approximately 2-3 weeks 
after the start of treatments. This hair will grow back after the 
treatments are completed. If a higher dose of radiation is delivered, 
there is a chance that the hair loss will be permanent. 
www.healthlinkusa.com?uniq=9063 http://www.acf.org.au/hairloss.ht
m

Fatigue
Chemotherapy can reduce the bone marrow's ability to make red blood
cells, which carry oxygen to all parts of your body. When there are too
few red blood cells, body tissues don't get enough oxygen to do their
work. This condition is called anemia. 
Anemia can make you feel very weak and tired.
 http://www.cancerca
re.org/campaigns/fatigue4.htm http://www.cancerca
re.org/campaigns/ovarian6.htm http://w
ww.cancernetwork.com/Journals/Oncology/nccn9827.htm

Thankyou for taking the time to send in a question to the Mad Scientist 
Network.

June Wingert
Mad Scientist