ChemoCare
Our machines can help with Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) and Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia (CIA)
CIPN & Hand-Foot Syndrome
Chemotherapy is one of the most important therapeutic components in cancer treatment. It can save lives – but unfortunately it also has some undesirable side effects. Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause damage to the nerve endings in the hands and feet. This is known as chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Side effects of peripheral neuropathy are often felt in the hands and feet and can cause severe pain and discomfort; affecting a patient’s balance, dexterity – and even their ability to walk. Tingling, numbness and burning are also common symptoms of CIPN.
Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a dermatological condition that primarily affects the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It occurs as chemotherapeutic agents penetrate the hands and feet through the capillaries and cause damage to exposed tissue. Symptoms of HFS include redness, numbness, swelling, blistering and dry, peeling skin. Those with more severe symptoms may lose their nails and experience intense pain in their hands and/or feet.
Severe symptoms can lead those suffering to reduce their dosage, make changes to their treatment plan or stop treatment altogether.
How can Hilotherm help?
Lowering the tissue temperature slows blood circulation and metabolism and prevents the chemotherapeutic agents from penetrating the capillaries in the hands and feet. For example, dropping the tissue temperature down by 10°C can reduce the metabolic rate by 50%. Hilotherapy is an effective way to do this, as it allows the localised tissue temperature of the hands and feet to be kept constantly cool. Unlike traditional methods of cooling, Hilotherapy can be used for hours or even days at a time without temperature deviation. Cooling is typically applied at 15ºC-17ºC for 30 minutes before, during and 0-30 minutes after chemotherapy.
Hilotherm ChemoCare is most effective at preventing CIPN/HFS symptoms when it is used from the first chemotherapy session and throughout all chemotherapy sessions. Sometimes ChemoCare is not used from the outset but a decision is made to start using once symptoms have developed. Hilotherm can be effective at stopping symptoms from worsening and also alleviating existing symptoms. Cooling in these circumstances should take place for all future chemotherapy sessions and post-chemotherapy cooling time should be extended by an additional 30 minutes. The earlier a decision to start using Hilotherm, the better the results are likely be.
There have been many studies carried out on the use of Hilotherm to prevent CIPN/HFS with further studies being published regularly.
Where is Hilotherm ChemoCare CIPN available in the UK?
Patients undergoing chemotherapy in the UK are now able to use Hilotherm ChemoCare at GenesisCare, Ramsay, Spire and some NHS hospitals. If you’d like to know where your nearest hospital that uses ChemoCare is please get in touch with us.
Unfortunately Hilotherm are unable to provide ChemoCare systems directly to patients as devices need to be used during chemotherapy treatment. Any chemotherapy providers wishing to introduce Hilotherm ChemoCare to their patients can contact info@hilotherm.co.uk or 02476323372
Hilotherm ChemoCare scalp cooling
Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is one of the biggest worries for many patients. Controlled scalp cooling is the only way to combat hair loss during chemotherapy and Hilotherm are here to help.
Hilotherm ChemoCare CIA devices provide temperature controlled continuous cooling. The scalp is cooled to 19-20°C by the fitted cooling cap.
Cooling leads to the constriction of the blood vessels at the hair roots reducing their blood flow. This causes a reduction of metabolism, transport and uptake of cytoxic substances of the hair follicles resulting in visible reduction of hair loss.