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Benign familial pemphigus: Little benefit from superficial radiotherapy
Author(s) -
Roos Daniel E,
Reid Catherine M
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-0960.2002.00627.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiation therapy , dermatology , natural history , pemphigus , disease , surgery , pathology
SUMMARY Benign familial pemphigus (Hailey–Hailey disease) is a rare relapsing–remitting epidermal blistering disease palliated by a multitude of medical and surgical treatments. There are limited reports of benefit from low‐penetration X‐rays. We describe two resistant cases that appeared to respond initially to superficial radiotherapy, a 66‐year‐old man who had multiple courses to the groins (4 × 2.00 Gy/5 × 3.00 Gy) and to the axillae and low back (10 × 2.00 Gy) and a 53‐year‐old man treated twice to the groins and perineum (5 × 3.00 Gy/10 × 2.00 Gy). However, on longer follow up, benefit was found to be questionable. We conclude that while superficial radiotherapy may offer temporary relief, there is little evidence that it alters the natural history of this disease.