Radiation therapy of cutaneous cancers and other dermatologic disorders is not covered adequately in many current textbooks of dermatology and radiation oncology. This book is intended to fill that gap. Both text and illustrations are oriented toward the practical aspects of radiation therapy. The beginner will find a concise introduction to physical and biological principles, selec tion of radiation factors, dose definitions, indications for treatment, and radiation seque lae. The experienced dermatologist and radiation oncologist will find a detailed discussion of specific indications for various radiation techniques in different body regions. A special effort was made to add pertinent references to the world literature for those who wish to pursue particular topics still further. We have tried to include all major American and European publications of the last 20 years in our bibliography of more than 500 refer ences, and we also have attempted to review the most important scientific papers on prin ciples and practice of ionizing radiation therapy in a constructive way. We are grateful to Professor Gorson, Dr. Breneman, and Professor Lindel6f, who generously contributed chapters in their areas of expertise despite their many other com mitments."

Since the incidence of skin neoplasms is constantly increasing as the population ages, there is a need for a monograph about radiation treatment of skin neoplasms and diseases. Excellent cosmetic and functional results can be shown with this treatment modality. This book comprehensively examines the indications for radiation therapy of cutaneous cancers, pre-cancerous lesions and benign dermatological disorders. The monograph provides concise introduction to physical and radiobiological principles, selection of radiation factors, dose definitions, as well as radiation reactions and risk assessments. Specific indications for radiotherapy of cutaneous neoplasms and radiation protection measures are discussed. Topics include radiation therapy of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, lymphomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, Lentigo maligna melanoma, and Merkel cell tumor. A separate chapter discusses the skin reactions after nuclear accidents. Major scientific publications of the past 10 years are reviewed.