Core temperature affects scalp skin temperature during scalp cooling

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Physiology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Scalp cooling efficacy for preventing chemotherapy-induced hair loss is linked to scalp skin temperature.
• Scalp skin temperature is influenced by both local cooling and overall body thermal status.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of systemic body temperature on scalp skin temperature during scalp cooling procedures.
• To determine the correlation between core body temperature and scalp temperature.

Main Methods:

• 13 healthy subjects underwent scalp cooling.
• Body temperature was manipulated using ice slurry ingestion to decrease core temperature and cycle exercise to increase it.
• Esophageal temperature (Tes), rectal temperature (Tre), mean skin temperature (Tskin), and mean scalp temperature (Tscalp) were continuously monitored.

Main Results:

• Scalp temperature (Tscalp) decreased significantly during initial scalp cooling, while core body temperature (Tes) showed a minimal decrease.
• Systemic cooling via ice slurry lowered Tes, Tre, and Tskin, with subsequent increases after exercise.
• A significant positive correlation was found between esophageal temperature (Tes) and scalp temperature (Tscalp) (r=0.39, P<0.01).

Conclusions:

• Modulating systemic body temperature, particularly reducing elevated temperatures, can enhance scalp cooling effectiveness.
• This approach may improve hair loss prevention in patients undergoing chemotherapy when standard scalp cooling systems are insufficient.
• Managing patient body temperature is a potential adjunct strategy to optimize scalp cooling outcomes.