Treatment of keloids with a single dose of low-energy superficial X-ray radiation to prevent recurrence after surgical excision: An in vitro and in vivo study.

Background: Although keloids have been empirically treated with steroids and radiation, evidence-based radiation parameters for keloid therapy are lacking.

Objective: To determine evidence-based radiation parameters for blocking keloid fibroblast proliferation in vitro and apply them to patients.

Methods: The effects of various radiation parameters and steroids on cell proliferation, cell death, and collagen production in keloid explants and fibroblasts were evaluated with standard assays.