Basal Cell Carcinoma in Childhood After Radiation Therapy

Abstract

We describe 2 patients who received ionizing radiation as part of a curative regimen for childhood malignancy which later developed basal cell carcinoma at an early age. They do not occur within the context of well-defined syndromes, such like basal cell nevus syndrome, albinism, or xeroderma pigmentosum. Basal cell carcinomas appears on radiated areas in older individuals, less often in younger patients, in which the period of latency between exposure to radiation and the appearance of basal cell carcinomas is shorter than in older patients. Our 2 cases presented a period of latency of 11 and 10 years. Radiated skin areas must be explored as part of the follow-up in children who received radiotherapy and should probably be maintained for life. The basal cell carcinoma in childhood is best treated by excision.

Basal cell carcinoma in childhood: Case report and literature review

“…Childhood onset of BCC has previously been associated with albinism, 21,27 Bazex syndrome, 21,28 BCC nevus syndrome, 25,26,[29][30][31][32][33]53 nevus sebaceous, 2,25,26,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40] solid organ transplants, 47,48 xeroderma pigmentosum, 25,29,32,[49][50][51][52] and radiotherapy-treated cancers, such as astrocytoma, 44 ependymoma, 41 hemangioma, 26 Hodgkin lymphoma, 38,46 leukemia, 38,[42][43][44][45][46] medulloblastoma, 22,29,33,46 neuroblastoma, 38 optic nerve glioma, 41 and unspecified malignant tumor. 32 Children are defined to be 18 y...…”

Basal Cell Carcinoma After Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Concise Review of the Literature

“…Hijiya et al reported a median latency of 26.5 years (range 5.2–30.2 yrs). In a report by Marin‐Gutzke et al , latency was reported to be 11 years after 3,000 cGy for the indication of neurofibromatosis. Albert and Omran reported two BCC cases in 2,043 children treated for ringworm using radiation epilation (500–800 rad) of the scalp with a follow‐up period of 12 years.…”

“…BCC after radiation therapy has also been reported in case reports (2)(3)(4). BCC has been reported to be associated with underlying conditions such as basal cell nevus syndrome, albinism, and xeroderma pigmentosum; burn scars; and radiation therapy (9). The period of latency between ionizing radiation exposure and diagnosis of BCC varies, although a higher dose has been reported to be more commonly associated with a shorter latency period (10).…”

Late Effects of Treatment for Brain Tumors

“…50,234 As previously mentioned, genetic syndromes, such as Gorlin Syndrome, are associated with medulloblastoma in young children and numerous nevi in radiation fields within a few years of radiotherapy. 230,236,239 Chemoradiotherapies used in the treatment of CNS tumors appear to greatly contribute to the development of skin cancer as a SMN. 230,236,239 Chemoradiotherapies used in the treatment of CNS tumors appear to greatly contribute to the development of skin cancer as a SMN.…”