title: Head and neck basal cell carcinoma prevalence in individuals submitted to childhood X-ray epilation for tinea capitis treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A higher prevalence for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been associated with radiation, namely with tinea capitis epilation treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of head and neck basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and to identify the major risk factors for BCC in individuals irradiated in childhood for tinea capitis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We clinically observed 1,308 individuals from an original cohort of 5,356 irradiated between 1950 and 1963, registering previous skin lesions excisions and proposing for surgery all the suspicious lesions detected. In 585 participants, 47 with BCC, the skin pigmentation was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of BCC was 8.0% and of multiple BCC was 2.4%. Both total (14.7%) and multiple BCC (6.6%) were significantly more common in the individuals who had received a higher radiation dose. Multiple BCC was more prevalent (3.7%) in younger irradiated individuals and total BCC (9.4%) in women. Participants with BCC and without BCC presented similar skin pigmentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Younger age at irradiation, higher dose and female gender increased the risk of developing BCC in these irradiated individuals.
authors.affiliation: University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boaventura
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teixeira-Gomes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014006:Tinea Capitis / Q000532:radiotherapy*