| Abstract: |
Radiation therapy is an alternative to surgical excision of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM). In some instances, radiation therapy may be the preferred treatment because surgery is not possible, or incompletely removes the LM or LMM. Radiation therapy is advantageous, because it is able to preserve tissue and limit cosmetic and functional compromise from surgery. Over the last several decades, a wide range of techniques including Grenz rays, soft, superficial, and orthovoltage x-rays, as well as brachytherapy have been used to deliver radiation therapy. The published retrospective analyses from around the world have generally demonstrated local recurrence to occur in 10 % of patients treated, with metastatic recurrence occurring in 1 %. Comparative analyses have not demonstrated significant inferiority of radiation therapy compared to other treatment modalities for LM/LMM. Herein, the biologic basis, advantages, disadvantages, technique, patient selection, and outcomes of radiotherapy for LM and LMM will be discussed. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2017. |
