MULTIPLE BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA DEVELOPING 2 YEARS AFTER CO-60 IRRADIATION

A 66-year-old Japanese man developed multiple basal cell carcinoma 2 y ears after receiving Co-60 irradiation for oropharyngeal tumors. All o f the tumors were located within the radiation fields where the skin w as atrophied and telangiectatic. In the present case, the total dose ( 112 Gy) of Co-60 radiation received by the patient had been large and the latent period was much shorter than in previously reported cases. It is suggested that the reasons for the short latency in our case wer e 1) the total radiation dose and 2) the fact that the area irradiated was a frequently sun-exposed area.