title: Delayed effects of accidental cutaneous radiation exposure: fifteen years of follow-up after the Chernobyl accident.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the Chernobyl accident in 1986, 237 individuals were identified as having the most severe exposure to ionizing radiation. In the period between 1998 and 2000, 99 long term survivors out of this group were reassessed for radiation-induced cutaneous lesions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify sequelae of accidental cutaneous irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Detailed dermatologic examinations, including biopsies of suspicious cutaneous lesions for histopathologic examination and 20 MHz sonography, were performed in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two of the 99 patients displayed radiation-induced cutaneous lesions. Epidermal atrophy, telangiectases, and pigment alterations were present in all these individuals. Keratotic lesions were found in 14 patients. Cutaneous fibrosis was documented in 8 individuals by the use of 20 MHz sonography, while a radiation ulcer was found in 5. In one patient, two basal cell carcinomas were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The life-long follow-up of irradiated persons is of great importance in order to identify cutaneous neoplasms at an early treatable stage.
authors.affiliation: Hospital and Clinic for Vascular Surgery and Dermatology, Ulm-Blaustein, Germany. marianna.steinert@medizin.uni-ulm.de
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steinert
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gottlöber
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Belyi
authors.forename: Oleg
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gergel
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bebeshko
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nadejina
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Galstian
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wagemaker
authors.forename: Theodor Max
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Fliedner
authors.forename: Ralf Uwe
authors.initials: RU
authors.lastname: Peter
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000473:pathology*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012426:Russia; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014455:Ukraine