Radiation therapy of keratoacanthoma.

Shimm DS, Duttenhaver JR, Doucette J, Wang CC. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1983 May;9(5):759-61

We report the radiation therapy of keratoacanthoma in 13 patients using orthovoltage X rays and electrons. All patients had an excellent cosmetic result, and time to regression was dose dependent up to a dose corresponding to TDF 50; increasing dose beyond this level did not accelerate time to regression past 2.4 months. We also note a heretofore undocumented association between keratoacanthoma and second malignancy.

Radiation therapy of keratoacanthomas: results in 55 patients.

Caccialanza M, Sopelana N.  Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1989 Feb;16(2):475-7.

Department of Dermatologic Radiotherapy, Ospedale Maggiore, University of Milano, Italia.

The radiation therapy of keratoacanthomas in fifty-five patients treated between 1976 and 1986 using orthovoltage X rays (contact and soft X ray therapy) is reported. The total dose delivered was 40 Gy by means of twice weekly fractions of 4 Gy each in 52 cases, and 60 Gy by twice weekly fractions of 5 Gy each in 3 cases with notable cellular atypia. In all cases we obtained complete regression of the lesions irradiated within 1 month after the termination of radiotherapy. So far we have not had any recurrences. The cosmetic result was always satisfactory. We should like to point out the association between keratoacanthomas and a second malignancy in two cases. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of keratoacanthomas is discussed and re-confirmed, in relation to the literature data.

Treatment of aggressive keratoacanthomas by radiotherapy.

Donahue B, Cooper JS, Rush S.  J Am Acad Dermatol. 1990 Sep;23(3 Pt 1):489-93.

New York University Medical Center, NY.

Keratoacanthomas infrequently are treated by radiotherapy. However, keratoacanthomas that are recurrent after surgical excision or whose resection would result in cosmetic deformity may benefit from radiotherapy. Between January 1970 and June 1988, 29 such keratoacanthomas in 18 patients were irradiated. Doses ranged from 3500 cGy in 15 fractions to 5600 cGy in 28 fractions. Measured end points of therapy were (1) initial response, (2) freedom from recurrence, and (3) quality of the subsequent cosmetic appearance (scored as good, fair, or poor). No lesion progressed and all eventually regressed completely. Cosmetic results generally were considered good by both the patient and the referring dermatologist; none of the results was considered poor. Our results demonstrate that radiation is an effective means of treating keratoacanthomas.

Radiotherapy for aggressive and destructive keratoacanthomas.

Farina AT, Leider M, Newall J, Carella R.  J Dermatol Surg Oncol. 1977 Mar-Apr;3(2):177-80.

An experience of treating five cases of aggressive and destructive keratoacanthomas by radiotherapy is recounted. The results were satisfactory in every instance.