Role of total skin electron beam therapy for leukemia cutis in pediatric patients.

The role of radiation therapy for those with leukemia cutis, particularly pediatric patients, remains unclear. This report describes the first two cases of disseminated leukemia cutis in adolescents treated with total skin electron beam therapy. Both patients had resolution of their skin disease and significant palliation of symptoms. Total skin electron irradiation is an option for adolescents suffering from significant extramedullary leukemia involving the skin. While it is uncertain if this treatment has any improvement in disease-free survival, the benefits of total skin electron therapy for symptom palliation should be considered. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.