Review Date: October 2024
- Patients
- Benign disease services
- Keloid scars
Introduction
Keloid scars
Radiation therapy for keloid scars
What are keloid scars?
Chapter 01
What are keloid scars?
Make an enquiry
To learn more about radiation therapy treatment options for keloid scars, make an enquiry. Please note a referral from a GP or specialist is needed for an initial assessment by a radiation oncologist.
What causes keloid scars?
Chapter 02
What causes keloid scars?
How are keloid scars treated?
Chapter 03
How are keloid scars treated?
Your specialist may advise you to try certain treatments to help reduce inflammation. If these treatments haven't worked for you, then careful surgery combined with precision radiation therapy may be appropriate for you.2
Radiation therapy for keloid scars
Chapter 04
Radiation therapy for keloid scars
Assessment
An initial assessment and discussion is important to help understand the uncertainties and alternative treatment options.
At the assessment, your specialist will discuss whether radiotherapy might be helpful for your condition, as well any as side-effects you may experience.
Note: You will need a referral from a GP or specialist for an assessment.
Treatment
Radiation therapy may help treat keloid scars by reducing the inflammation which in turn dampens the excess production of collagen.1,4 Radiation therapy can be used after surgery, with the aim of preventing the scar from recurring; studies show success rates around 80% to 85% with no regrowth of the scar.2,5
Radiation therapy for keloid scars can use a technique called electron beam radiation therapy, which is delivered by a linear accelerator (LINAC).2 Radiation therapy is often started approximately 24 to 72 hours after surgery and may be delivered in up to five treatments sessions within one week.2,4,6
The number of treatment sessions, their duration, and treatment outcomes will vary between patients. Side effects may occur, but these are usually mild to moderate. For example, some patients experience mild redness of the skin immediately following treatment, which this usually subsides over 3 to 4 weeks.5
Enquire now
To learn more about radiation therapy treatment options for keloid scars, make an enquiry. Please note a referral from a GP or specialist is needed for an initial assessment by a radiation oncologist.
Content reviewed by
Professor Jarad Martin
MBChB BSc PhD DMed, FRANZCR GAustMS
Radiation Oncologist
Maitland (Oncology) +1
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Disclaimer
Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information on this webpage at the date of its publication, however, the information does not take the place of professional or medical advice. Please consult your doctor or treating clinician to determine whether any form of medical treatment or health service is appropriate for you.
Any medical procedure or treatment involving the use of radiation carries risks, including skin irritation and associated pain. Before proceeding with treatment, you should discuss the risks and benefits with an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Individual treatment outcomes and experiences will vary.
- Ogawa R. Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars Are the Result of Chronic Inflammation in the Reticular Dermis. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(3):606.
- Zainib M, Amin NP. Radiation Therapy In The Treatment Of Keloids. [Updated 2022 Aug 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499973/ [accessed April 2023].
- Australasian College of Dermatologists. Keloids. August 2015. Available: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/keloids/ [accessed April 2023].
- Nast A, Gauglitz G, Lorenz K, et al. S2k guidelines for the therapy of pathological scars (hypertrophic scars and keloids) - Update 2020. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021;19(2):312-327.
- Lee SY, Park J. Postoperative electron beam radiotherapy for keloids: treatment outcome and factors associated with occurrence and recurrence. Ann Dermatol. 2015;27(1):53-58.
- Wen P, Wang T, Zhou Y, Yu Y, Wu C. A retrospective study of hypofractionated radiotherapy for keloids in 100 cases. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):3598.
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