Basal cell carcinoma and World War II-era cathode ray oscilloscope exposure.
BACKGROUND
There is a high prevalence of skin cancer in World War II servicemen stationed in the Pacific theater as a result of various risk factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation and genetic predisposition.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to describe whether a possible association exists between basal cell carcinoma (BCC) development and the use of high-voltage cathode ray tube (CRT) oscilloscopes manufactured around 1940 to 1955, which were a source of X-radiation.


METHODS
We present a case series of 9 men aged 65 to 93 years who presented with similar head and neck distributions of BCC and a history of extensive use of early CRT oscilloscopes during and shortly after the World War II era. The patients were interviewed and their medical records reviewed to determine CRT exposure times and BCC location, subtype, and treatment. Representative BCC histologic sections were reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 230 BCCs of the head and neck region were identified and mapped. Questionnaires determined a minimum exposure of 600 (range, 624-9600) hours within a 60-cm distance of early CRT screens in all patients. The average number of aggressive histologic subtypes was 23.5%. The average number of Mohs micrographic surgery layers required to obtain negative margins was 1.99 compared with 1.63 in the control group treated by the same Mohs micrographic surgeon (P < .002).


CONCLUSIONS
This descriptive study is the first to suggest that ionizing radiation from early CRT oscilloscopes may be a factor in the development of multiple BCCs of the head and neck with increased subclinical spread.
Cognetta
Armand B
AB
Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee, Tallahassee, Florida 32317, USA. Cognetta@ix.netcom.com
Green
W Harris
WH
Marks
Maria M
MM
Manausa
Robert M
RM
Horenstein
Marcelo G
MG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001610:Beta Particles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000209:etiology*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000209:etiology; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D011825:Radar / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D047789:World War II