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Radiation for Keloids - Evidence Review and Protocols

Bennett KG, Kung TA, Hayman JA, et al.
Dermatologic Surgery (2017)

JC: September 2022

This evidence review summarized the current data on radiation therapy for keloid treatment and prevention, including protocols for dosing and fractionation. The review supported adjuvant radiation as one of the most effective therapies for recalcitrant keloids, particularly when combined with surgical excision.

Take-Home Messages

  • •Adjuvant radiation therapy within 24-48 hours of keloid excision significantly reduces recurrence rates.
  • •Radiation protocols for keloids typically use superficial radiation with relatively low total doses, offering a favorable risk-benefit profile.

Topic

Radiation Therapy

SRT, superficial X-ray, adjuvant radiation for skin cancer

Abstract

Management of keloids has remained a conundrum, because an optimum treatment regimen has yet to be elucidated. Currently, treatment varies widely between more conservative measures, such as steroid injections, topical medications, and silicone sheeting, to more aggressive options, such as surgery and postoperative radiation. The latter combination has been touted to have superior results, with the lowest rates of pathologic scar recurrence. We performed a retrospective review to critically ev...

Literature review only. This summary is an editorial interpretation and may not reflect the complete findings of the original publication. Always refer to the full-text article for clinical decision-making.