Treatment of keloids using postoperative radiotherapy with electrons: a comparative study of two regimens

INTRODUCTION: There are many different treatments for keloids that alone show disappointing results. The combined treatment of surgical excision and irradiation post- operative with electrons is effective for the quality of the scar and reduction of the rate of recurrence. OBJECTIVE: To compare two treatments using different quantity of electron beams in terms of the probability of cure and side effects in the area irradiated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a clinical study, fase III, prospective, randomized, carried out at the Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP, in the period 2008 to 2010, including patients, in the immediate postoperative period of resection of keloids, divided in G1 and G2. Patients received radiotherapy with electrons of a Linear Accelerator, 30 Gy/10 fractions for G1 and 32 Gy/16 fractions for G2. The follow-up was 18 months. The results were assessed by means of observation made by two independent evaluators and the questionnaire applied to participants of the study. RESULTS: The study involved 43 patients, 21 in group G1 and 22 in group G2. In group G1 52.4 %% showed good results and 47.6 % of relapses. In group G2, 91% of good results and 9% of relapses. CONCLUSION: The scheme 32 Gy/16 fractions showed better response to treatment and less side effects.