DigniCap - Scalp Cooling System

New breakthrough medical device

DigniCap® was designed to help patients regain control after a cancer diagnosis by reducing the burden of hair loss. Hair loss is a well-documented side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss can be significantly reduced in most cases. The DigniCap® scalp Cooling System offers you the possibility to keep all or most of your hair while receiving certain chemotherapy treatments (there is FDA approval for breast cancer but the system may be available to you with other cancers – FDA approval in process).

DigniCap® Scalp Cooling System is designed to provide continuous cooling with high efficacy, safety and acceptable patient comfort. This innovative technology works by lowering the scalp temperature during chemotherapy resulting in diminished blood flow to the scalp area so that less chemotherapy reaches the hair cells. In addition, cellular metabolism within the hair cells is slowed; therefore, not exposing hair cells to the full dose of chemotherapy and may be able to survive the chemotherapy treatment.

The cooling system consists of a tight-fitting silicone cooling cap connected to a computer operated 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 temperature never drops below 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 time, once chemotherapy and post-infusion cooling time are complete, the cap slowly warms up.

Your provider can best advise you if the DigniCap® Scalp cooling System is compatible with your treatment. To schedule a treatment using DigniCap® or for more information, please contact the Cancer for Cancer Prevention and Treatment Infusion Center at 714-734-6240.

Cost of each treatment is $350 per infusion treatment

Insurance

On occasion, patients have been able to get their insurance company to cover some of their scalp cooling treatment cost. If you can get a prescription for a “cranial prosthesis”, you may have a chance to receive some insurance coverage for your scalp cooling treatment.

Subsidies

“Hair To Stay” offers subsidies based on demonstrated financial need. Recipients can be reimbursed up to $250 a month, up to $1,000 total. For more information, visit hairtostay.org.

Appointments should be made one week prior to starting chemotherapy.

The Infusion Center will provide you with instructions prior to the start of your treatment.

You must make sure you inform your Infusion clinical scheduling nurse that you intend to use the DigniCap® Scalp Cooling System to ensure they reserve the equipment for your appointment time.