[The radiophosphorus (32P)-test in precanceroses and malignant tumors of the skin].

In 21 patients with a variety of skin tumors (squamous cell carcinomas, malignant melanomas, basal cell epitheliomas and mycosis fungoides) or pre-cancerous lesions (Bowen's disease, actinic keratosis, junctional nevus cell nevus) the radioactive phosphorus uptake test demonstrates a significantly increased concentration of P32 in those tumors. There were no false negative tests. The possibility of differentiation of malignant melanoma from benign nevus cell nevus and the early recognition of cutaneous metastases is described. Furthermore recurrence of previously irradiated or excised basal cell epitheliomas can be detected without a biopsy. No hematological side-effects were observed.