Electron beam irradiation in treatment of skin carcinoma

Thirty seven cases of carcinoma of skin treated with electron-beam irradiation over a period of three years have been analysed retrospectively. Majority of lesions were in head and neck and basal-cell carcinoma was the commonest histological type. Of twenty-one patients followed, seventeen (81%) achieved complete remission and remained disease free for a period of one to three years. Cosmetic results were excellent. Role of electron-beam in the management of these superficial cancers and its advantage over the conventional radiation therapy methods have been highlighted. Radiation therapy utilising electron-beams form a very useful modality in the management of skin cancers, especially those arising in head and neck.