Radiotherapy of carcinomas of the dorsum manus

The author treated 54 patients with 55 local carcinomas of the dorsum manus. These cases represent 2,08% of all carcinomas. From 1961 to 1963, the unit TuR 80 /VEB Dresden/ was applied. The conditions of irradiation were: 60 kV, 1.2 mm Al filter, focus-skin distance 7 cm. Since 1963, the patients were irradiated with the unit Dermopan /Siemens/ under the following conditions: 50 kV, 1 mm Al filter, focus-skin distance 5 cm. The individual doses were between 400 and 500 R. In the beginning, they were administered three to five times per week, later three times per week. The total dose amounted up to 5000 or 6000 R. After the radiotherapy, every patient was controlled continually and carefully and, if necessary, a follow-up treatment was executed. During a control period of one to sixteen years, 50 carcinomas of the dorsum manus were checked up. Two recurrences occurred during this period. This corresponds to 4% of all cases. The results were also perfect with regard to the cosmetic aspects. (orig.)