Radiation therapy of giant aggressive keratoacanthomas.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN

Giant aggressive keratoacanthoma is a rare destructive subset of keratoacanthoma that frequently involves the facial region, grows rapidly to a large size, and often recurs after surgical management. The effectiveness of ionizing radiation therapy was examined in a retrospective study involving 16 patients; 14 of the tumors had recurred after surgical therapy.

RESULTS

All tumors resolved with satisfactory cosmetic results and without recurrence following a fractionated course of superficial radiation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation therapy is an effective therapeutic modality for giant aggressive keratoacanthomas.