[Roentgen soft radiotherapy of eyelid basaliomas]

Reported are the results of soft X-ray therapy of 237 patients with 245 basal cell carcinomas of the eye lids. The medial angle of the eye and the lower eye lid were mostly affected. Histologically in 62% solid basal cell carcinomas and in 14% sclerodermiform basal cell carcinomas could be diagnostized. By soft X-ray therapy 92% of all basal cell carcinomas could be healed. All recurrences were observed in the first 2 years following radiotherapy. They were relatively more frequent at the lateral angle of the eye. Recurrences occurred in 4.9% of female patients, and in 13.0% of male patients. In two thirds they may be due to elected conditions of radiotherapy; in one third the cause of recurrences are not known. The cosmetic result was good or excellent in 95% of patients during the first 2 years following radiotherapy. After more than 5 years this rate declined to 65%. A good functional result could be obtained in 88% of the patients.