Radiotherapy for basal cell carcinoma of the medial canthus region.
OBJECTIVE
To report outcome for patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) for basal cell carcinoma of the medial canthus.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients treated with RT at the University of Florida between 1965 and 2005 for basal cell carcinoma of the medial canthus were retrospectively reviewed. RT was the primary treatment for gross disease in 70% of patients and for positive margin after resection in 30%. The prescribed dose was 50 to 60 Gy at 2.0 to 2.5 Gy per fraction.


RESULTS
Surviving patients were followed for a median of 14 years. Tumor recurred at the primary site in 10%. There were no regional recurrences or distant metastases. The local control rate was 100% in patients treated with surgery followed by RT for positive margins. In patients treated with RT alone, the local control rate was 94% with de novo lesions and 67% if the lesion was recurrent after prior surgery. Cause-specific survival was 95% at 10 years; overall survival was 52% at 10 years. There were no severe complications. Chronic epiphora was present in 21% and chronic dry eye symptoms in 3%.


CONCLUSIONS
With the proper technique, RT produces excellent results in several of these patients. Patients with recurrent tumors and gross disease at the time of RT have a suboptimal cure rate. Our plan is to increase the RT dose to 64.8 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Erika L
EL
Swanson
Robert J
RJ
Amdur
William M
WM
Mendenhall
Christopher G
CG
Morris
Jessica M
JM
Kirwan
Franklin
F
Flowers
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005142:Eyelid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome