Alice Santos-Alves, Radiotherapy Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
Cláudia Franco-de Sá, Radiotherapy Department, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, Lisboa, Portugal
Pedro Soares, Radiotherapy Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
Daniela Saraiva, Radiotherapy Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
João Casalta-Lopes, Radiotherapy Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
Ricardo Horta, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Objective: The study presented in this article assesses the effectiveness of adjuvant electron beam radiotherapy (RT) in reducing keloid recurrence and improving scar-related outcomes. Methods: The retrospective study included 32 patients with 36 keloid scars who underwent surgical excision and adjuvant electron beam RT. The patient and observer scar assessment scale patient and observer scar assessment scale was used for all patients after RT. Results: The results showed no major treatment-related adverse events, and significant correlations were observed between overall score and color, stiffness, thickness, and irregularity of keloid scars. The study highlights that electron beam RT is an effective adjuvant therapy in reducing keloid recurrence and improving scar-related outcomes. Conclusion: Surgical excision combined with adjuvant RT is an excellent treatment option for keloids, with high patient satisfaction and low recurrence rates.
Keywords: Keloid. Radiotherapy. Scar Assessment.