Basal-cell tumors of the lumbar skin after radiotherapy for arthrosis

Twenty-three cases of basal-cell tumor of the skin arising in the lumbar-sacral region after repeated irradiations in anti-inflammatory doses for arthrosis are discussed. The involved cutaneous region had been submitted to a number of roentgenotherapy cycles, varying from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 10. The total dose absorbed at skin level varied between 14.4 and 72.0 Gy, administered over 2 to 6 years. Thirteen to 30 years (median, 19) had elapsed since the end of the irradiations. This observation compels a critical re-evaluation to be made concerning certain radiotherapy indications. The treatment of these lesions involves some problems: radiotherapy is made difficult by the coexistence of often serious dystrophic lesions on the surrounding skin, and surgery is often unsuccessful. The topic application of 5-fluorouracil ointment seems to achieve good results.