Application of Brachytherapy in Postoperative Treatment of Keloid‐Prone Patients

TL;DR

This study shows that a single high-dose brachytherapy session after surgery may effectively treat keloids with minimal side effects.

Contribution

The study introduces a new outpatient treatment protocol using high-dose brachytherapy for keloid-prone patients.

Findings

A total effective rate of 93.75% was achieved with 25 cured and 5 improved cases.

No severe radiation-induced skin reactions or hormonal abnormalities were observed.

The treatment was associated with a high response rate and no severe adverse events.

Abstract

Keloids are benign fibroproliferative tumors that often recur after surgical excision. Combining surgery with postoperative radiotherapy has emerged as a potential treatment strategy, though optimal radiotherapy protocols remain debated.

This study aims to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single high‐dose brachytherapy session administered within 8 h after surgical excision in keloid‐prone patients in a retrospective setting.

A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on 32 patients who underwent surgical excision of keloids followed by a single 8 Gy Ir‐192 brachytherapy session within 8 h postoperatively. Treatment outcomes and adverse reactions were assessed over a 1‐year follow‐up period.

Among the 32 patients, 25 were cured, 5 showed significant improvement, and 2 were ineffective, yielding a total effective rate of 93.75%. No severe radiation‐induced skin reactions (Grade III/IV) or abnormalities in thyroid or estrogen levels were observed.

In this small retrospective series, single‐dose 8 Gy brachytherapy administered within 8 h after surgical excision was associated with a high response rate and no severe adverse events. These findings suggest it may be a potentially useful outpatient treatment option for keloids, though further comparative studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.

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