Multiple Basal-Cell Epitheliomata Following Radiotherapy of the Spine

SUMMARY. Six patients are reported who had multiple tumours confined to areas of skin irradiated between 11 and 28 years previously. They had received radiotherapy for ankylosing spondylitis in 5 cases and lichen planus in 1. In 3 patients the x‐rays had produced radiation damage and multiple basal‐cell epitheliomata. In 3 there was no overt skin damage and in these premalignant fibro‐epitheliomata were more common. Skin tumours must be added to the growing number of cancers from which patients with ankylosing spondylitis may suffer as a result of previous radiotherapy.