Acneiform eruption secondary to radiotherapy

Abstract

Acneiform eruption secondary to radiotherapyA 45-year-old man presented with T3N0M0 squamous cell carcinoma of the right tonsil. He underwent surgical therapy and megavoltage radiation therapy (70 Gy in 35 fractions). He developed several open and closed comedones along with some tender inflammatory papules over the irradiated area on both sides of his cheeks and neck, two months post radiotherapy. [Figure 1]. Lesional biopsy from neck demonstrated horn plugs blocking the hair follicles. A diagnosis of acneiform eruption secondary to radiotherapy was made. Topical tretinoin cream and oral isotretinoin (10 mg twice daily) were prescribed leading to rapid improvement within 4 weeks. Acneiform eruption with comedones is a late sequelae of radiation therapy which may develop Figure 1: Open and closed comedones along with tender inflammatory papules in the irradiated area on the right side of his cheeks and neck