Radiotherapy for epithelial skin cancer

Purpose: To retrospectively review patterns of failure, cosmesis, and outco mes according to treatment modality of patients with histologically confirm ed epithelial skin cancer. Methods and Materials: The records of 468 patients having 531 lesions were analyzed; 389 basal cell carcinomas and 142 squamous cell carcinomas were t reated, 167 of which were recurrent tumors. Median follow-up was 5.8 years. Electron beam irradiation was used in 19%, superficial x-rays in 60%, a co mbination of electron beam and superficial x-rays in 20%, and megavoltage p hotons in <2%. Results: The overall local tumor control rate was 89%; it was 93% for previ ously untreated lesions and 80% for recurrent lesions. Patients with basal cell carcinoma had a 92% overall control rate; patients with squamous cell carcinoma 80%. Multivariate analysis showed that local failure was related to the daily dose fractionation. The maximal diameter of the lesion and pat hologic tumor type were also significant (p less than or equal to 0.01). Tr eatment type, patient age, and treatment duration were not significant. Ove rall, 92% of the treated population with cosmesis data had excellent or goo d results. The overall complication rate was 5.8%, consisting primarily of soft-tissue necrosis. Conclusions: Radiotherapy remains an excellent treatment modality for epith elial skin cancer. Local tumor control, cosmesis, and complications are rel ated to the size of the primary lesion. Recurrent lesions fared worse, and therefore treatment at the earliest possible stage is strongly recommended. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.