The tricho system: hypertrichosis, radiation, and cancer.
Five women in their 6th to 8th decades were treated for facial hypertrichosis in Erie, Pennsylvania, 30 to 40 years ago. The epilations were performed with an X-ray device called "Tricho System," which was manufactured, sold, and proclaimed safe by its physician-inventor. The beauty shop operator who administered these treatments may or may not have received "instruction" by the company in the operation of the equipment. At varying intervals, each of the 5 women developed radiodermatitis and basal cell and/or squamous cell carcinoma at the sites of epilation. All presented to the plastic surgical service at the Hamot Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Two underwent massive radical resective surgery, 2 required extensive excision and resurfacing, and 1 refused resective surgery although she had had a previous surgical attempt 17 years earlier. Case histories are presented in detail. This series is representative of the epidemic nature of Tricho-System-induced disease.
D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002610:Cheek; D002680:Chin; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014964:X-Ray Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects