Use and Abuse of X-Ray Therapy for Benign Skin Conditions: With Particular Reference to X-Ray Atrophy

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Postgraduate Medicine

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00325481.1961.11694376· OSTI ID:4726785

Pillsbury, Donald M.

The effectiveness of x-ray therapy in various skin diseases and its potentialities in the production of skin cancer are discussed. It is proposed that 500 r is the maximum safe total dose of ionizing radiation (with a half- value layer of 1.0 to 2.0 mm of aluminum) which should be given to the skin in the treatment of a benign dermatosis. It is also suggested that very soft irradiation in the so-called grenz range will produce fully as good results in many superficial inflammatory dermatoses as will standard superficial x rays and with far less risk of undesirable late sequelae. Several case histories and photographs are provided to illustrate examples of late x-ray atrophy following the treatment of various dermatoses. Evidence in these cases indicates that the total cumuiative dose was of an order considerably in excess of 1000 r, and probably well over 2000 r. It was concluded that x-ray atrophy of the skin following treatment of benign dermatoses is the most completely preventable of all serious human diseases; it is predominantly iatrogenic but to some extent quackogenic.'' X-ray atrophy of the skin represents an irretrievable acceleration toward tissue death; it may be slowed by various precautions but it is never reversed. Skin atrophied by x ray is highly vulnerable; its defensive capacity against all types of physical and chemical agents is severely reduced. Preventive and therapeutic measures applicable to radioinduced skin atrophy are outlined, and a list of benign conditions is provided for which radiotherapy is contraindicated.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-016347
• OSTI ID: 4726785
• Journal Information: Postgraduate Medicine, Journal Name: Postgraduate Medicine Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 30; ISSN 0032-5481
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE