Radiation therapy of keratoacanthomas: results in 55 patients.

The radiation therapy of keratoacanthomas in fifty-five patients treated between 1976 and 1986 using orthovoltage X rays (contact and soft X ray therapy) is reported. The total dose delivered was 40 Gy by means of twice weekly fractions of 4 Gy each in 52 cases, and 60 Gy by twice weekly fractions of 5 Gy each in 3 cases with notable cellular atypia. In all cases we obtained complete regression of the lesions irradiated within 1 month after the termination of radiotherapy. So far we have not had any recurrences. The cosmetic result was always satisfactory. We should like to point out the association between keratoacanthomas and a second malignancy in two cases. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of keratoacanthomas is discussed and re-confirmed, in relation to the literature data.