Late effects of patients irradiated with x-rays for tinea capitis

300 irradiated and 151 non-irradiated patients with tinea capitis were studied as irradiated and control groups respectively in 1987-1990. The irradiated group was treated with superficial X-rays to the scalp for epilation in 1960-1970, with 300 R/field in 4 fields, in 100 kV, 6 mA, FSD 30 cm, without filter. These two groups were well matched in age, sex, occupation, and nationality. The clinical examinations were carried out by specialists of internal medicine, surgery, neurology, dermatology, otorhinolaryngology, ophthamology, stomatology etc.. The results showed that the neurasthenic syndrome was significantly increased in the irradiated than in the control group, P < 0.1, the difference being not statistically significant. 19 cases of benign tumors were found clinically in the irradiated group, including 2 brain tumors (1 pituitary, 1 trigeminal fibroma), 2 thyroid tumors (1 adenoma, 1 nodule), and several adipose tumors, cysts and polyps. The average dose to the brain was 145 ± 64 cGy, and that to the thyroid was 6.87 ± 0.42 cGy. In the control group only 7 benign tumors were found, including adipose tumors, cysts and polyps. No cancer or leukemia was detected clinically in both groups