Postoperative Carbon Ion Radiotherapy for Keloids: A Preliminary Report of 16 Cases and Review of the Literature

Objectives. Radiotherapy for the management of keloids was first introduced in 1906, yet 107 years later optimal protocol has not yet been established. Most studies have been conducted using x-ray, beta-ray, or gamma-ray. However, for high linear energy transfer radiation, clinical data are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of postoperative carbon ion radiotherapy for keloids. Material and Methods. Case records of 16 patients with 20 keloids, who were given postoperative carbon ion radiotherapy with 16GyE/8 fractions in the therapy terminal at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou at the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China, were retrospectively reviewed. Results. In a mean follow-up period of 29.7 months (range 24.3-35.3 months), overall survival and 95% success rates were achieved. No grade 3 or higher toxicity and complication occurred, and none of the 16 patients presented with local or systemic malignancy during the follow-up period. Conclusion. Here, the first evidence of postoperative carbon ion radiotherapy for keloids is provided. Surgical excision and immediate postoperative carbon ion radiotherapy is well tolerated and should be considered as a potential curative treatment modality of keloids in certain cases.