[Radiation-induced acne]

Hautarzt. 2000 Mar;51(3):187-91. doi: 10.1007/s001050051018.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Radiation-induced acne is a rare, clinically and pathogenetically ill-defined acneiform dermatosis with special features that may occur in irradiated skin areas especially after high doses of deeply penetrating radiation. We report on a patient with an oropharyngeal carcinoma who developed severe radiation-induced acne including comedones and cysts as well as few inflammatory papules and pustules in a skin area irradiated with up to 63 gray of a 6 MeV photon beam. Acnegenic drugs may precipitate the disease; our patient was on longterm therapy with carbamazepine whose acnegenic potency is less well documented than that of testosterone or glucocorticoids. Treatment of radiation-induced acne is comedolytic; topical retinoids are especially valuable.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / chemically induced
  • Acne Vulgaris / etiology*
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Carbamazepine / adverse effects
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Facial Dermatoses / diagnosis
  • Facial Dermatoses / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Radiodermatitis* / diagnosis
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Carbamazepine