Radiotherapy of morphea-type basal-cell carcinomas

Morphea-type carcinomas are the most difficult to cure among the basal- cell carcinomas. The data regarding the response to radiotherapy of this form are few and not univocal. For this reason, a retrospective study was performed with 20 patients affected by morphea-type basal-cell carcinoma, who underwent orthovoltage radiotherapy in the period 1982-1998. Complete remission was obtained in 85% of the irradiated lesions. The two-year cure- rate was 86.11%. The cosmetic results were good or acceptable in 94.11% of cases. One acute radiodermatitis occurred. Such results make us think that radiotherapy of these tumours is possible and is particularly indicated for selected cases.