Re: X-ray Acne Treatment

[John Goldsmith <gjohn@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>]

Joel:
     There was an extensive use of X-Ray for treatmeent of ringworm of the
scalp in Israel between 1948 nd 1960.  Of approximately 20,000 children so
treated, 10,834 were studied in a follow up. Treatment was with 75 - 100
kVp. EAch of five scalp fields was treated with 350-400 roentgens on
sucessive days.  10% of subjects had more than one treatment.
     Ron et al report on mortality of the follow-up group in Am.
J.Epidemiol. vol 127, 13-25, 1988.  Modan in the 1993 G. William Morgan
lecture, (Health Physics vol. 65 475-480, 1993) on "Low Dose Radiation
Carcinogenesis" reports a two fold increase in the risk of breast cancer
and a fourfold increase of thyroid cancer, following a minimal exposure of
16 mGy and 90mGy respectively.." (These I believe are tissue dose
estimates ) Carcinogenesis rates were higher in the
children treated at younger ages.  Ron et al. report a relative risk of 3
for tumors of the head and neck, of 2.3 for leukemia, and bone and soft
tissue sarcoma of 9, all of which were significant.  The last follow-up
observations were in 1987.  The expectation is that radiation induced
solid cancers would continue to be observed. 
    O.K. its not acne.        John Goldsmith gjohn@BGUMAIL.bgu.ac.il

On Tue, 16 Sep 1997, baumbaug@nosc.mil wrote:

>         Radsafers,
> 
>         I have a "case in point" of a similar vein...
> 
>         I have a friend who received an x-ray treatment as a child for
> ringworm.  She received "one" treatment at a local hospital to make her hair
> fall out as the ringworm had spread to her scalp and face and the doctors
> were afraid that it would get into her eyes (mucus membranes) and/or mouth.
> I remember at one time reading that it would take 200-300 rads to cause
> exfoliation of the head.  J. Shapiro's, Radiation Protection (2nd edition)
> pg. 335 lists dose rates of 350 - 400 rads (so much for my memory).  As a
> caveat, she developed thyroid cancer in one thyroid lobe in her late thirties.
> 
> 
>         Joel
> 
> 
> .
> 
>         
> 
> At 01:13 PM 9/16/97 -0500, you wrote:
> >Jim --
> >
> >Low energy x-rays, ie Grenz rays, kvP < 12, were widely used in the 1940's
> >and earlier (and even later as some dermatologists/radiologists continued
> >their earlier practices) for superficial treatment of a variety of skin
> >diseases.  Doses, which were then measured in r, were substantial, near or
> >even exceeding the SED.
> >
> >Ron Kathren
> >
> >At 12:22 PM 9/16/97 -0500, mail15077@pop.net wrote:
> >>Good morning,
> >>
> >>Have any of you ever heard of using X-rays for the treatment of acne?  One of 
> >>our workers has described getting such treatment in the 60's.  His
> description 
> >>of the procedure sounds like a UV Treatment, which was common, but certain 
> >>aspects of his recollections would be consistent with X-ray treatment (lead 
> >>apron drapes, a "cone shaped" irradiator, etc.).
> >>
> >>If such treatment was done, do you have any estimates of the doses (or dose 
> >>rates) involved?
> >>
> >>Jim Barnes, CHP
> >>Radiation Safety Officer
> >>Rocketdyne Division; Boeing North American
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> Joel T. Baumbaugh (baumbaug@nosc.mil)
> Naval Research and Development (NRaD)
> San Diego, CA., U.S.A.
> 
> The content of this message has not been reviewed or endorsed by my employer
> (the U.S. Navy), the Federal government or my supervisors.
>