LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP STUDIES OF OCCUPATIONAL X-RAY AND RADIUM DERMATITIS

Clinical findings are described as they appeared up to several decades after the original radiation exposure. Chronic progress of the skin lesions and late sequelae was observed in 137 persons some of whom incurred dermatitis from the application of luminescent paint to meter dials, but the majority from occupational exposure to roentgen radiation. Various stages of skin lesions observed were: eponychia, acrocyanosis, abnormal pigmentation, telangiectasis, hyperhidrosis, atrophy, alopecia, verrucous keratomata, erythrosis, and ulceration. Thus, the lesions encompassed degenerative as well as proliferative changes, including those of a precancerous nature. In 15 of the 137 subjects malignant changes were diagnosed, most frequently carcinoma of the spinocellular type. Long-term studies of the cases of chronic dermatitis led to the conclusions that: early or slight pathologic changes are usually reversible and respond favorably after removal of the worker from hazardous conditions or observance of preventive measures; more severe changes of a degenerative type may be slowed down or perhaps stabilized by precautionary steps; and severe changes of a proliferative nature (precarcinomatous) are not retarded by preventive measures and the malignancy potential remains. No clear correlation was noted between the severity of the skin lesions and hematologic abnormalities. (H.H.D.)