Malaker K, Vijayraghavan K, Hodson I, Al Yafi T
Princess Norah Oncology Centre, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2004 Jun;16(4):290-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2004.03.005.
The purpose of the study was to review retrospectively the role of primary radiotherapy for unresectable keloids.
Kilovoltage X-rays and mega-voltage electron beams were used to irradiate large bulky unresectable keloids. A total of 3750 cGy was given in five once-weekly fractions, over a period of 5 weeks. Eighty-six keloids in 64 patients were treated between 1977 and 2002.
Ninety-seven per cent of this cohort had significant regression, and 3% had partial regression 18 months after completing radiotherapy. Both acute and long-term reactions were acceptable, and so far none of the patients have been reported as having cancer of any sort. Sixty-three per cent of the patients surveyed were very happy with the outcome of their treatment.
Unresectable bulky symptomatic keloids can be satisfactorily treated with hypo-fractionated radiotherapy primarily using either kilovoltage X-rays or electron beams without significant short- or long-term side-effects.
