Long-term results of irradiation for basal cell carcinoma of the skin of the nose.

The long-term outcome of basal cell carcinoma of the nose in patients treated with radiation therapy has not been well documented. To make this evaluation, we assessed the cosmetic and oncologic results in 26 patients after an average interval of 9.3 years following radiation therapy. The majority of the patients were treated with only three doses of radiation from a superficial 50-kVp unit. The cosmetic result was evaluated independently by the patient and two of the authors using a defined grading system. The local control rate was 96 percent, with none of the patients having recurrence noted at the follow-up examination. The patient evaluated the cosmetic result as excellent or good in 81 percent (21 of 26) of cases and physicians in 77 percent (20 of 26) of cases. The cosmetic result appears to remain stable over time; 86 percent of the patients treated more than 13 years ago were rated as having an excellent or good cosmetic result. These data suggest that superficial irradiation is associated with good to excellent cosmetic results in most patients and should be considered an important treatment option for patients with basal cell carcinoma of the skin of the nose.