Radiation-induced basal cell carcinoma.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Radiotherapy for tinea capitis was common in the early 20th century.
• Long-term follow-up reveals increased incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) post-radiotherapy.
• Understanding the link between childhood radiation exposure and BCC is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical features of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in patients with a history of radiotherapy.
• To assess the prevalence and characteristics of BCC in an Iranian population exposed to childhood radiotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of clinical records of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients.
• Analysis of patient history for radiotherapy exposure during childhood.
• Comparison of BCC characteristics between irradiated and non-irradiated groups.

Main Results:

• 29 out of 58 BCC cases (nearly 50%) had a history of childhood radiotherapy.
• Patients with radiotherapy history showed a significantly higher rate of multiple BCCs (79.3%) compared to those without (10.3%).
• Higher recurrence rates were observed in patients with a history of radiotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Childhood X-ray radiation remains a significant etiological factor for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in northern Iran.
• Patients treated with radiotherapy in childhood are at increased risk for developing multiple BCCs and experiencing higher recurrence rates.
• Long-term surveillance is recommended for individuals with a history of radiotherapy for tinea capitis.