Grenz rays

Abstract: During the years 1949 to 1975, 14,237 patients received therapeutic doses of grenz rays for the treatment of benign skin disorders such as chronic eczema, psoriasis, and warts. The records of 14,140 of these patients (99.3%) formed the basis for an epidemiologic study of the incidence of skin malignancies in this population. Information about the patients, diagnoses, doses, and sites of treatment was obtained from separate records. The follow-up time was 15 years on the average. We searched the Swedish Cancer Registry, Stockholm, for records reporting the incidence of malignant skin tumors in the study population (incidences of basal cell carcinoma are not registered). The expected number of malignancies was calculated on the basis of age- and sex-standardized incidence data from the Swedish Cancer Registry. In 58 patients, a malignant skin tumor was diagnosed more than five years after grenz-ray therapy had first been administered. Nineteen patients had malignant melanomas, and 39 patients had other malignant skin tumors. The expected number of melanomas was 17.8, and that of other malignant skin tumors was 26.9. None of the patients with melanomas, and only eight of the patients with other malignant skin tumors, had received grenz-ray therapy at the site of the tumor. Six of these eight patients had also been exposed to other known carcinogens. Four hundred eighty-one patients had received an accumulated high dose of grenz rays (greater than or equal to 10 000 rad [greater than or equal to 100 Gy]) on one and the same area. No malignancies were found on those areas. Although we cannot exclude grenz-ray therapy as a risk factor in the development of nonmelanoma skin malignancies, this risk, if any, is small, if recommendations for therapy are followed.

Abstract: The effect of grenz ray therapy in the treatment of psoriatic nails was assessed in 22 patients by randomly allocating active treatment to the psoriatic nails of one hand while the other one, which received simulated therapy, served as a control. Five Gy of grenz rays were applied on 10 occasions at intervals of 1 week. There was a significantly better response to active treatment compared with the untreated control. However, the therapeutic response was moderate. It is concluded that grenz ray therapy could be useful only when the psoriatic nails are of normal thickness.

Abstract: • A comprehensive survey of the Task Force on Ionizing Radiation of the National Program for Dermatology was answered by 2,444 dermatologists in the United States and Canada (53.6% of 4,560 questionnaires). Computer analysis of the data showed that 55.5% of dermatologic offices are equipped with superficial x-ray machines and/or grenz ray units and that 44.3% of dermatologists use superficial x-rays or grenz rays regularly. Most respondents (65.8%) favor increased practical instruction in radiotherapy in training programs. A majority (63.4%) want examinations in radiation therapy by the American Board of Dermatology continued or increased. Data dealing with training in radiation therapy, reasons for non-utilization, alternate care, radiation safety, and economic considerations are presented in detail. Common indications for superficial x-ray therapy and grenz ray therapy are listed in order of frequency and percentage of use. ( Arch Dermatol 111:1511-1517, 1975)

Abstract: aclinical evaluation of radiation therapy of lesions of the eye requires close co-operation between the ophthalmologist and the radiologist. The ophthalmologist in general is not qualified, without special training, to carry out radiation treatment, and the radiologist is usually not qualified to employ such therapy without a thorough knowledge of the pathogenesis of the lesion treated. This study represents a co-ordinated effort between the Departments of Radiology and Ophthalmology at Western Reserve University. Prior to 1940, gamma rays from radium and grenz rays were used in radiation therapy for various ophthalmologic conditions. In that year, Burnam and Neill (1) reported on the use of beta rays originating from radon gas, the daughter isotope of radium, contained in a glass bulb enclosed within a brass cylinder. This type of applicator was in general use until artificially produced radioactive isotopes became available. In 1950 two of the present authors (C. I T. and H. L. F.) reported on the use o...