ACNE COMEDONICA FOLLOWING RADIATION-THERA PY

History and clinical findings: A 50-year-old female patient underwent extirpation of a moderately differentiated, partially tubular ductal c arcinoma of the left mamma and dissection of the left axilla followed by postoperative radiation therapy (total dose 58/48 gy). 2 weeks afte r the radiation therapy was stopped, treatment with gosereline subcuta neously was started. 6 weeks later numerous open and closed comedons a ppeared which were sharply confined to the radiation areas of left mam ma and sternum. Diagnosis, treatment and course: Because of the clinic al diagnosis of acne comedonica following radiation therapy a local tr eatment with benzoyl-peroxide gel 5% and erythromycine cream 2% was pe rformed, which led to improvement of the skin lesions within a few wee ks and total restitution within 3 months. During one year no comedons have occurred although the local therapeutics are not applied constant ly anymore. Conclusion: Acne comedonica in the radiation area is a rar ely known side effect of radiation therapy. Although the skin lesions cause no pain or itching they can affect the patient due to cosmetic c hanges. Local treatment with comedolytic acne therapeutics is effectiv e.