Radiotherapy preserves fingers in the management of subungual squamous cell carcinoma, obviating the need for amputation

A retrospective study of the use of radiotherapy in 12 patients with subungual squamous cell carcinoma of the finger was conducted at two radiotherapy departments in the Netherlands. This malignancy has little tendency to metastasize and is usually treated by amputation. Primary radiotherapy resulted in a permanent local control of 92% with only one serious adverse effect leading to an amputation of the initially involved digit. No regional or distant failure was seen during follow-up. Radiotherapy should be considered as an alternative for amputation to treat patients with subungual squamous cell carcinoma of the finger.