Il (fig. 54). Some lesions became secondarily infected; however,all lesions except one ear lesion healed rapidly and reepithelized in a week or 10 days. The ear lesion took about four months to heal. Repigmentation gradually took place in most lesions, and some of the healing lesions, particularly on the neck, showed development of hyperpigmentation of a grayish, dusky color and a thickening of the skin with “orange-peel” appearance. Biopsy specimens taken from lesions during the third to fourth week revealed histopathological changes con- Fig. 6.—Desquamation of back of scalp at 28 days. Epilation occurred eatlier in desquamated area. Note persistent ulceration of left ear. sistent with radiation damage (fig. 7). Spotty transepidermal damage with atrophy and flattening of the rete pegs was a commonfinding, with areasof relatively normal skin between, emphasizing the particulate nature of the radioactive material. Cel!s of the malpighian layer showed pleomorphic nuclei, pyknosis, and cytoplasmic halos. Focal disorganization of the malpighian and basal layers was present in extensively damaged areas. In the dermis, telangiectatic vessels were noted where the over- 9012099