Basal cell carcinoma in young patients after irradiation for childhood malignancy

Three patients underwent cranial irradiation as part of treatment for childhood malignancy. Two of these patients had acute lymphocytic leukemia and one had an astrocytoma. All had longlasting remissions from their childhood malignancy but 8-15 years later developed a basal cell carcinoma of the scalp within previous radiation portals. The basal cell carcinomas were all treated successfully using Mohs micrographic surgery. Follow-up of patients receiving irradiation for childhood malignancy should include periodic cutaneous examinations of previously irradiated sites.