Results and side effects of dermatologic radiotherapy: a retrospective study of irradiated cutaneous epithelial neoplasms.

BACKGROUND

Ionizing radiation therapy has a well-defined role among several therapeutic options available for the management of cutaneous neoplasms. However, many dermatologists today are not aware of its potential.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of radiotherapy in a large series of patients with primary malignant epithelial neoplasms (PMENs), who had been subjected to radiotherapy between 1982 and 1995.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 1188 patients with a total of 2002 PMENs that had been treated by contact, superficial, and intermediate x-ray therapy.

RESULTS

Complete remission was obtained in 98.7% of the irradiated lesions. The 5-year cure rate was 90.73%. Cosmetic results were evaluated as "good" or "acceptable" in 84.01% of the treated lesions. Acute complications occurred in 1.94% and chronic complications in 0.34%. To date, neither radio-induced skin neoplasms nor late stochastic effects have been observed.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that dermatologic radiotherapy is an effective and reliable form of treatment of PMENs and has a favorable cure rate/toxicity ratio.