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Donald G. Lindsay, MD
Ventura, Calif

JAMA. 1981;246(7):733-734.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

I would like to comment on the article by Chahin M. Chahbazian, MD, and G. Stephen Brown, MD (1980;244:1135). Radiation therapy of skin cancer is not "carefully chosen" nor "well planned" no matter how "meticulously administered," unless it is done with a consideration for the posttreatment result 20 to 25 years hence, the patient's complexion, the amount and type of subsequent sun exposure expected, and finally, the actual, not prejudicial, exposure of the patient to the possible surgical alternatives for his exact problem.

In my opinion as a practicing dermatologist experienced in radiation therapy and as an instructor for several years in skin surgery at a large county hospital (Los Angeles County Hospital), radiation therapy of any kind has an extremely limited place in the treatment of skin carcinoma of the face and neck. Furthermore, it is virtually contraindicated for lesion in the inner canthus, the pinna . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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