Radiodermatitis

Abstract

Every year we see a number of cases of radiodermatitis. It is depressing to inform an individual that the condition is permanent. Furthermore, we see the development and extension of carcinoma in radiodermatitis by growth and metastases, and the ingenuity of the dermatologist, surgeon, and roentgenologist is often taxed to destroy it. This results in more disfiguring scars and mutilations. Metastases are fatal. Not infrequently patients object to x-ray therapy even when they are convinced of its therapeutic efficacy because of the fear of sequelae.

Except, perhaps, in the treatment of cancer there is no legitimate excuse for radiodermatitis. In the treatment of non-cancerous dermatoses radiodermatitis is the result of mistakes in diagnosis, inadequate recording of previous x-ray therapy, allowing oneself to be persuaded by the patient or by the course of the eruption to excessive dosage, and failure to have the machines calibrated at regular intervals. Other reasons include failure to study the type of skin to be treated, and to recognize that x-ray therapy in many skin eruptions is not curative but palliative. Careful attention to these and other factors will reduce to an irreducible minimum the number of cases of sequela to roentgen irradiation.

Radiodermatitis as a sequela to modern irradiation technic may be said to be rare. A study of our records shows a ratio of less than two cases for 1000 admissions. The following table shows the distribution of radiodermatitis from roentgen therapy in 69 consecutive cases.

I shall not attempt to draw any far-reaching. . .