Does cancer treatment cause scalp pain without hair loss?

Scalp sensitivity can indeed occur during cancer treatment even when hair loss isn't happening - the medications can affect nerve endings and skin sensitivity in various ways. Many people in the community have shared similar experiences with scalp tenderness, so this is definitely something worth discussing with others here who might have helpful tips for managing the discomfort.

Thank you for your advice!! I always think something else is happening with my cancer!

That happened to me twice. The first time I had disease progression of bone mets in my skull. They radiated my whole skull. It was quite an ordeal. It probably took 15 hours to make a helmet to protect my brain. Then, a mask to line it up. Radiation for 5 days with about 25 rotations. I lost my hair, but it came back very fine. I had a head MRI both times. The second time it was nothing except I started losing my hair. The first time I was on Ibrance. The second time I was on Kisqali. Tell your oncologist about it and ask for an MRI of your head.

Thank you Virginia. A Little scary Going for a PET scan next month Would it show up there?

After 10 months on Kisqali, I’m noticing hair thinning (complete loss on the back of my head where it hits and rubs the recliner. I have both red and white blood counts are low. I had a lot rash on my chest, arms, face and back. I still choose living over a bare existence.

Agreed. I get jaw pain and an ear ache at times. As long as nothing else is going wrong it’s fine

I’m not that vain just anxious about the next scan. I have been stable and making some progress but it’s always scary. I keep really busy so I don’t dwell in it. I take care of my 91 year old mom and help with my teenage granddaughter. So They keep me going lol

Jane, it will show up on a PET scan, if they scan your head. My PET scans are from the base of my head to below my hips. The lesions were on the top of my skull. They did a head MRI to see them.