Chemosurgical Reports: Basal‐Cell Carcinoma Resulting from Radiation Therapy for Hypertrophic Tonsils

Abstract

Benign dermatologic conditions are no longer treated with therapeutic radiation because of the late complications that can result. One of the most serious complications that may occur is the development of skin cancer of various types. In this report, a patient received radiation for hypertrophic tonsils and later developed basal-cell carcinomas in the irradiated areas.

Postradiation Sarcoma: Case Report and Review of the Potential Complications of Therapeutic Ionizing Radiation

“…Until the 1960s, the use of superficial radiation for benign skin disease was quite common 8 . Low‐dose radiation was a popular therapy for tinea capitis until the introduction of the effective antifungal agent griseofulvin in 1959 9 .…”

Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas Developed After Radiation Therapy for Tinea Capitis: A Case Report

“…These neoplasms can even arise on radiated areas where there is no sign of chronic radiation damage. The latency period for the development of a skin cancer after irradiation is variable, ranging from 4 to 40 years with an average of 20 years 1 …”

“…Data from retrospective studies covering a large number of patients treated with radiotherapy for tinea capitis showed that radiation with low doses induced the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) more frequently than SCC 6–8 . Several case reports mentioning the development of multiple BCCs following low‐dose radiation therapy for some other benign diseases like hypertrophic tonsils, acne vulgaris, atopic dermatitis, and hyperthyroidosis also support this issue 1,9,10 …”

“…RADIATION THERAPY had been widely used in dermatology up to 1960s 1 . It was a popular therapy for tinea capitis until the introduction of griseofulvin as an antifungal agent 2 .…”

“…The most serious adverse effect of radiotherapy is the development of cutaneous neoplasms. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was previously believed to be the most common type of skin cancer arising on radiodermatitis areas, but recent studies have demonstrated that the type of neoplasm depends on various factors, including the anatomic location of the treated area, radiation type, total radiation dose, and the size of fractionation 1,3–7 . Data from retrospective studies covering a large number of patients treated with radiotherapy for tinea capitis showed that radiation with low doses induced the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) more frequently than SCC 6–8 .…”