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 severa l 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 radi otherapy in a large series of patients with primary malignant epithelial ne oplasms (PMENs), who had been subjected to radiotherapy between 1982 and 19 95. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 1188 patients with a total of 2002 PMENs that had been treated by contact, superficial, and intermedia te 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 oc curred 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 effect ive and reliable form of treatment of PMENs and has a favorable cure rate/t oxicity ratio.