Radio-induced malignancies of the scalp about 98 patients with 150 lesions and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: - The induction of malignant diseases is one of the most concerning late effects of ionizing radiation. The topic of this study deals with skin tumors developed in the irradiated areas in children given X-ray therapy for tinea capitis.

Material and methods: - All patients with malignant tumors of the scalp referred to Salah Azaiz Institute between 1970 and 2001 have been questioned in order to determine if there had been a prior X-ray irradiation for tinea capitis, its modality, and its consequences. The first scalp irradiation goes back to 1922 and the last was performed in 1963.

Results: - Ninety-eight patients with 150 radio-induced cancers of the scalp following irradiation for tinea capitis are reported (1.5 lesion per patient). The patients were irradiated in various hospitals and dispensaries throughout the country. Eighty-one patients (82%) had only one session of radiation. The average age at irradiation was 12 (+/-6) years, the latent period for radiation-induced skin cancers was 36 (+/-14) years. In 61 patients (62%), the scalp appeared normal and in 38% radiodermatitis was noted. Patient age at diagnosis of malignancy varied from 20 to 83 years with an average of 47 years. Basal cell carcinomas (125 cases) and spinocellular carcinomas (16 cases) were the most common, three other cases of annexial tumors, two malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and four melanoma lesions are also present. Radiotherapy was used for the treatment of 74 patients (alone in 42 and associated with surgery in 32 patients); 14 patients had exclusive surgical excision.

Conclusions: - Basal cell carcinomas are the most frequent tumors arising on chronic radiodermatitis. In spite of the long latency period, patients' young age at irradiation explained the occurrence of these cancers at a relatively young age. Literature review is suggesting recessive mutation of tumor-suppressor genes as the characteristic abnormality in radio-induced cancer.