title: Orthovoltage for basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Excellent local control and low toxicity profile.
abstract: Evaluation of treatment results of orthovoltage X-rays for a selection of previously untreated favorable basal cell carcinomas (BCC) in the head and neck area concerning local control, cosmetic and functional outcome, and toxicity profile.
  
  
  
  A consecutive series of patients with primarily treated BCCs who were irradiated by means of orthovoltage X-rays in the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam between January 2000 and February 2015 were retrospectively evaluated.
  
  
  
  Two hundred fifty-three BCCs in 232 patients were primarily treated with orthovoltage X-rays. The local control rates at 1, 3, and 5 years for this selection of basal cell carcinomas were 98.9%, 97.5%, and 96.3%, respectively. Tumor size was the only significant predictor for local control because BCCs < 20 mm had a significantly higher 5-year local control rate than lesions ≥ 20 mm (96.8% vs. 89.4%, P = 0.041). Acute toxicity healed spontaneously without medical intervention, and late toxicity rates were low. Functional impairments were negligible, and the cosmetic outcome was excellent.
  
  
  
  Orthovoltage therapy for well-selected favorable BCCs in the head and neck area resulted in excellent local control rates, a low toxicity profile, and apparently satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes. Orthovoltage irradiation is a good alternative for surgery for BCCs with favorable histologic prognosis at locations that are at risk for postoperative functional or cosmetic changes, such as the nose or canthus.
  
  
  
  4. Laryngoscope, 126:1796-1802, 2016.
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Charlotte W
authors: CW
authors: Duinkerken
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Peter J F M
authors: PJ
authors: Lohuis
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Wilma D
authors: WD
authors: Heemsbergen
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Biljana
authors: B
authors: Zupan-Kajcovski
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Navran
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Hamming-Vrieze
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: W Martin C
authors: WM
authors: Klop
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Fons J M
authors: FJ
authors: Balm
authors: Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Abrahim
authors: A
authors: Al-Mamgani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: BCC; Radiotherapy; basal cell carcinoma; orthovoltage