post-operative radiotherapy of keloids. a 10-years experience of kilovoltage irradiation

background: keloids are benign fibrous dermal tumors originating from skin injury after surgery, piercing or others wounds. materials and methods: sixty-two patients with keloids were treated postoperatively using orthovoltage irradiation. the total dose delivered was 12 gy in three consecutive days, 4gy per fraction. treatment started 24 h after surgery. the median follow-up was 44.5 months. results: grade 1 erythema was observed in 48% of patients (30/62) 20/62 patients (32%) showed telangiectasia and altered skin pigmentation as late toxicities. in 10/62 (16%) a clinical relapse was observed. conclusion: the postoperative orthovoltage radiotherapy for keloids is a valid and tolerated method that reduces the risk of recurrence. aims: evaluate the role of post-operative superficial orthovoltage radiotherapy in the management of keloids.