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Keratin Granulomas in Irradiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Various Sites¹

Department of Pathology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Francis Delafield Hospital, New York, New York

An extensive foreign-body giant cell reaction around necrotic or degenerating keratinized tumor was observed in 20 instances of human squamous cell carcinoma of various sites and following external X-ray or radium therapy. The data presented suggest that radiation injury in squamous cell carcinoma may be manifested by marked hyperkeratinization of tumor cells. The keratin compounds which are liberated from injured tumor cells induce a severe foreign-body giant cell reaction as well as a mixed leukocytic reaction. In this material, the development of keratogenesis and keratin granulomas did not seem to have influenced the malignant potential of irradiated squamous cell carcinoma.

¹ This investigation was supported by USPHS Grant CA 5151-01.