title: Possibility of treating basal cell carcinomas of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome with superficial x-ray therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS), also known as Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, is a rare dermatological disease inherited according to an autosomal dominant pattern. From the dermatological point of view, the most evident characteristic of the syndrome is the early onset of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). An ideal treatment of BCCs of the NBCCS does not exist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate if in particular cases (e.g. poor general health conditions, previous multiple surgical excisions) radiotherapy may be useful, under the condition that it does not promote the onset of new BCCs and that the healing of irradiated lesions is normal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A study on 3 patients with 17 BCCs treated with superficial radiotherapy is here reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete remission without carcinogenic effects was reached in all treated lesions, with a mean follow-up of 30.35 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our opinion, such results suggest the possibility of a cautious application of superficial radiotherapy in selected cases of NBCCS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Photoradiotherapy, Institute of Dermatological Sciences of the University, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Milan, Italy. scienze.dermatologiche@unimi.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caccialanza
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Percivalle
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Piccinno
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001478:Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome