For cancer patients, hair loss during chemotherapy treatment can be traumatic. At UConn Health, we are pleased to offer our breast cancer patients access to the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System.
When a DigniCap is worn during chemotherapy sessions, it delivers cold to the scalp. Lowering the scalp’s temperature diminishes blood flow to the scalp area and reduces the amount of chemotherapy that reaches the hair cells. With the cellular metabolism within the hair cells slowed, the hair cells receive less chemotherapy and are more likely to survive the treatment.
While the DigniCap isn’t a guarantee that patients will keep all of their hair, it greatly improves the chances that they will retain some of it during their treatment.
Learn more about the impact the DigniCap had on UConn Health patient Marisa Dolce.
What Is the Treatment Like?
The DigniCap system consists of a tight-fitting silicone cooling cap connected to a cooling system that is placed on the patient’s head 30 minutes prior to the start of chemotherapy infusion.
Sensors in the cap monitor and continuously adjust temperature to keep the scalp cool throughout the entire cooling treatment. In addition, the cap is equipped with a safety sensor to ensure the temperature never drops below the freezing point of 32°F (0°C). The cap is at room temperature when placed on the head, and the treatment temperature is gradually achieved over a short period of time. Once chemotherapy and post-infusion cooling time are complete, the cap slowly warms up.
Who Is Eligible to Use DigniCap?
Currently, the DigniCap is approved by the FDA for use in breast cancer patients only due to the types of chemotherapy drugs being used. Clinical trials and FDA approval are both underway to determine the effectiveness with other cancer treatments, so please consult your doctor for the latest information.
Is This Covered by Insurance?
Please consult your insurance company by calling the phone number on the back of your card.