Season 8, Episode 3. Understanding Alopecia Neoplastica: A Deep Dive into Hair Loss from Metastatic Breast Cancer

Welcome to another insightful episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast with Dr. Jeff Donovan, a dermatologist and hair loss specialist. As the director of the Donovan Hair Academy, Dr. Donovan is dedicated to educating the public and practitioners about hair loss through comprehensive training programs. In this episode, Dr. Donovan explores a fascinating study from the Brazilian Annals of Dermatology, focusing on the trichoscopic features of alopecia neoplastica caused by breast cancer metastases. Alopecia neoplastica, a type of hair loss linked to neoplastic processes, can sometimes resemble alopecia areata, but presents with distinct trichoscopic patterns. Dr. Donovan discusses the study's findings on the blood vessel patterns and color variations that are key indicators of this condition. Join us as we delve into the clinical case of a patient with metastatic breast cancer presenting with alopecia neoplastica. Discover the significance of early detection and how trichoscopy can aid in diagnosing and managing this complex form of hair loss. Tune in next week as we explore the rare side effect of central serous chorioretinopathy from steroid injections, and continue our journey of empowering clinicians and patients through education.     STUDIES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE   Bruno Simão Dos Santos, Eduardo César Diniz Macêdo, Bruna Nascimento Arruda Scabello, Patrícia Porto de Oliveira Grossi, Neusa Yuriko Sakai Valente. Dermoscopy of neoplastic alopecia secondary to cutaneous metastasis from breast carcinoma. An Bras Dermatol. 2024 Sep-Oct;99(5):742-745. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.