Alfred W. Kopf

Radiotherapy of Cutaneous Malignancies

Most of the uncertainties and pitfalls encountered in the early years of x-ray therapy have been eliminated with modern equipment and techniques. Despite this, the use of radiation by dermatologists has declined since the close of World War II. The major decline has been in its use for the management of benign dermatoses, for which other excellent treatments are now available. X-radiation is still extensively used in the treatment of cutaneous malignancies, especially basal and squamous cell carcinomas, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and mycosis fungoides. For these malignant neoplasms x-ray therapy is an effective modality and, indeed, is the treatment of choice in certain circumstances. If appropriate principles are followed and precautions taken, x-radiation is a safe and effective method of therapy.