Taxotere may cause permanent hair loss that extends well beyond chemotherapy treatment.

What is Taxotere?

Taxotere (docetaxel) is a chemotherapy agent that is part of the taxane drug family, which includes medications derived from yew trees. The drug is commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, although is also approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head and neck cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer.

The Taxotere treatment may be used to treat small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and melanoma in the future.

Taxotere destroys rapidly dividing cancer cells by over stabilizing the cell and preventing it from reorganizing and dividing. If a cell cannot divide, it will simply die. This mechanism makes Taxotere an effective chemotherapy agent as it prevents cancer cells from dividing endlessly.

Why do chemotherapy agents cause hair loss?

Many chemotherapy agents target cancer cells based on their fast division rate. However, this mechanism often inadvertently targets hair follicles. The cells in hair follicles are some of the fastest dividing healthy cells in the body.

Chemotherapy agents target hair follicles all over the body, not just on the head. This can result in the loss of eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, pubic, and other body hair falling out.

Will hair regrow after chemotherapy?

After the end of chemotherapy treatment, hair generally grows back over the course of a few months:

• 2 to 3 weeks: growth of light, fuzzy hair
• 1 to 2 months: growth of thicker hair
• 2 to 3 months: hair may be an inch long
• 6 months: hair may be 2 to 3 inches long and able to cover bald patches
• 12 months: hair may be 4 to 6 inches long

It may take years for hair to return for its previous style. Additionally, some individuals may experience changes in hair texture. However, hair may never regrow in certain cases.

Can Taxotere cause permanent hair loss?

Patients who were treated with Taxotere may be at risk for permanent hair loss. The drug has been shown to cause permanent hair loss in chemotherapy patients.

Some patients who lost their hair permanently after chemotherapy treatment with Taxotere have taken legal action against the drug’s manufacturers. These patient-plaintiffs claim that drug manufacturers failed to sufficiently warn patients and the public about the risks associated with Taxotere.

Because of the lack of warnings, patients allegedly could not make an informed decision about their treatment with the drug.

Plaintiffs argue that permanent hair loss can cause real damage to patients. When they lack the ability to regrow hair, they are allegedly unable to shake the reminder that they had cancer. This, combined with the effects on a patient’s self-esteem, can allegedly cause emotional distress.

What do I do if I permanently lost my hair after Taxotere treatment?

You may be able to seek compensation through a Taxotere lawsuit if you permanently lost your hair after treatment with the chemotherapy agent. Speak with a qualified Taxotere attorney to evaluate your eligibility.