Subungual squamous cell carcinoma: radiation therapy as an alternative to amputation and review of the literature.

We report the outcomes of three patients who were treated with external beam radiotherapy as an alternative to distal phalanx amputation for subungual squamous cell carcinomas between December 2004 and September 2006. The patients' ages ranged from 46 to 83 years and the median follow-up time was 48 months (range: 36-52 months). As of the current date, the three patients show no signs of recurrence following a course of external beam radiotherapy. Complete function of the treated digit was obtained in all three patients. Irradiation should be considered as an alternative modality choice in the treatment of subungual squamous cell carcinoma in lieu of distal phalanx amputation.