Radiation Cancer of the Skin

The World literature, while replete with cases of radiation dermatoses, contains a paucity of reports of the more serious sequelae of such cutaneous injuries. Until 1942, approximately only 125 cases of occupational cancer and 63 of therapeutic carcinoma resulting from radiation had been reported from all countries (16, 19, 21, 24). The 36 cases of Cannon, Randolph, and Murray (5) comprise the largest series of radiation cancers. The present reported series includes 59 examples of roentgen and radium carcinoma of the skin resulting from post-irradiation dermatitis. Newly imposed standards of protection and education in precautionary measures have not prevented adventitial x-ray exposures in the dental and medical professions, therapeutic sequelae in patients, and beta-ray burns in workers engaged in atomic energy and medical research programs. The extended employment of x rays, radium, and radioactive substances in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and their applicability in industry and go...