Scalp cooling
outcomes calculator
This will give you an indication of the amount of hair retention you could expect, based on your chemotherapy regimen.
The calculator is based on the Scalp Cooling Registry, the biggest scalp cooling data set in the world, with information from over 7000 patients who have scalp cooled. The calculator can give a reliable indication of what you can expect.
It is important to remember that the calculator will only provide an indication of what has been experienced by others - you may see more or less hair retention, but it’s a really good starting point.
The order the drugs are listed is not of importance – for example if you are receiving cyclophosphamide and epirubicin, it doesn’t matter if they are listed in the reverse order.
Chemotherapy Regimen & Dosage
I only know my chemo type
This provides less accurate results
chance of retaining half of your hair
Outcome Results
Your selected drug regimen
Your outcome results
You have a % of retaining half your hair
Pre-infusion cooling time
30 mins pre-cooling time (45 minutes for thicker hair)
Post-infusion cooling time
minutes post-cooling time
Unfortunately we do not know the retention rate for your option
Please note that this number is a guide based on current research data. Your patient could potentially retain more or less than indicated.
On average, patients have a 56% chance of retaining at least 50% of their hair or more with scalp cooling. Results vary by chemotherapy regimen and dose. Higher retention rates are generally seen with taxane monotherapies, while regimens including anthracyclines are more challenging.
Estimates are based on a study of 7,424 patients across various chemotherapy regimens. Only regimens and dosages with a minimum sample size (N) of 5 are included within the calculator. Sample sizes for individual dosages range from 5 to over 700 patients. Results based on smaller sample sizes may show greater variation and should be interpreted accordingly.
Scalp cooling does not guarantee hair retention, and individual outcomes may be higher or lower than the estimates shown. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Patients should discuss expected outcomes with their care team.
How to use it
Why can’t I see my regimen?
If you can’t find your regimen on the list, this is because there isn’t enough data within the Registry to be able to give a useful answer. It may be worth asking your clinician if there is a similar regimen to the one you are receiving on the list that can give you an idea.
Please be aware that Herceptin and Perjeta (also known as trastuzumab and pertuzumab) are not chemotherapy drugs and therefore are not included in the list. For example, if you are receiving docetaxel, carboplatin, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab you should look for docetaxel and carboplatin.
If you would like more information, please do get in touch.
Why does it show the chance of retaining 50% of my hair, not just a percentage of hair retention on its own?
This reflects the way the Registry data was collected. Retaining 50% or more of your hair is usually the clinical definition of scalp cooling success. The calculator shows the percentage chance of what would be considered a ‘successful’ outcome.
Scalp cooling is different for everybody
Each person’s experience and outcomes from cold capping are different. For some people, this can add more uncertainty to an already stressful and upsetting time. For others, there is a comfort in knowing they tried, and all hair retention is a bonus.
The scalp cooling process is much more complex than a potential percentage; the decision-making guide can give you an indication of likely hair retention. There is so much emotion tied up in cancer treatment and hair loss that the decision of whether scalp cooling is right for you is multi-dimensional.
