Radiotherapy in Periocular Cutaneous Malignancies: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Due to the importance of function and cosmetics, periocular skin malignancies represent a therapeutic challenge. Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) treating periocular skin tumors. Methods: Data of patients with periocular tumors treated with grenz or soft X-rays at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with associated in situ lesions, cutaneous melanoma, lentigo maligna (LM), cutaneous lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma were included in the analysis. Results: We found 159 periocular lesions in 145 patients. Overall recurrence was highest for actinic keratosis and Bowen’s disease (27%), melanoma (17%) and LM (15%), whereas SCC and BCC showed recurrence in 11 and 10%, respectively. 45% of all recurrences occurred within 12 months after treatment, with a median time to recurrence of 13 months (range 3–73). Conclusion: RT, which provides a good therapeutic response with minimal adverse events, is a therapy option for periocular cutaneous malignancies.