Electron beam therapy for skin cancer of the head and neck

We retrospectively analyzed 99 patients with 115 sites of skin cancer, predominantly involving the head and neck, treated with electron beam therapy. Our objective was to determine the local control rate, radiotherapy reactions, cosmesis, and salvage treatment. Forty-three percent of patients received radiotherapy after biopsy, 41% were treated for recurrence following other modalities of treatment, and 16% had positive margins after surgical excision. With minimum and mean follow-up of 24 and 47 months, respectively, local control was achieved in 88% of patients. Six of 14 local recurrences were salvaged by surgery (five patients) and radiotherapy (one patient) for a total local control of 93%. Serial photographs and data were available to analyze cosmesis in 56 patients. Excellent or good cosmesis was achieved in 91%. Side effects were mild and self-limiting. EBT is highly efficacious and offers excellent cosmesis.