NO to Radiation Therapy in Treatment of Keloids
Radiation therapy is an important method component of treating cancers, however, it has also been used in treatment of non-cancerous conditions, including keloids. Purpose of radiation therapy in treatment of keloids is to reduce the chance of recurrence after a keloid is removes surgically.
Although addition of radiation to surgery does reduce the chance of recurrence, it does NOT totally prevent recurrence in all patients. The best results seen by using the method show 15-20% recurrence after surgery.
The most important concern about using radiation is its potential to cause long term complications such as cancer and damage to the organs and tissues near the site of radiation.
In my opinion, radiation therapy should not be used for the treatment of keloids. Several decades ago, radiation therapy at even lower doses was used for the treatment of acne and fungal infections of the scalp. Although very effective, these practices were banned because of the documented increased risk of cancer among the treated patients. Perhaps economy plays a role in the utilization of radiation therapy for keloid patients. Cost of delivery of radiation therapy to a keloid is in range of $10,000.
The patients shown below, despite having had radiation, did not benefit form this intervention and indeed, their keloids got much worse.
This patient developed hypothyroidism after radiation therapy for treatment of her neck keloids. She has now to take thyroid supplementation for the rest of her life.
Patient depicted below also had surgery followed by radiation therapy to the keloid in his neck area. The treatment not only did not help him but resulted in recurrence of a worse keloid that has now limited his ability to move his neck. Radiation therapy also caused a permanent damage and fibrosis of his neck tissue and serious abscesses under the keloid tissue and cause constant infections and drain pus at all times. Such complications can be totally avoided if radiation is not used in treating keloids. This patient, at age of 23, is also at risk of other long-term complications from the radiation.
