Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital tops 800 keloid surgery-radiation cases

Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital said Tuesday that it has surpassed 800 cases of combined keloid surgery and radiation therapy, highlighting the hospital’s growing clinical experience in treating the difficult skin condition.

The hospital said the milestone was reached as of April 30 through its specialized keloid clinic, which has operated continuously since 2021 under the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The clinic is led by Kim Byung-jun, who provides individualized treatment using a range of approaches including surgery combined with radiation therapy, laser treatment, intralesional injections and silicone sheet therapy.

Professor Kim Byung-jun, who leads the specialized keloid clinic at Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, said that surpassing 800 cases “goes beyond a simple numerical achievement and represents the accumulation of valuable clinical data on combined keloid surgery and radiation therapy.” (Courtesy of Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital)

According to the hospital, keloids on the chest and breast area accounted for the largest share of treated cases at 32 percent. Ear keloids accounted for 28 percent, followed by lesions on the shoulders and back at 17 percent, the face and neck at 12 percent, the abdomen at 9 percent, and lower extremity and buttock lesions at 1 percent each.

Kim said the 800-case milestone reflects the accumulation of substantial clinical data on combined surgery and radiation treatment for keloids.

He added that the hospital is continuing research to better understand the strengths and limitations of combination therapy and identify optimal treatment strategies based on patient characteristics.

“Keloids are a representative refractory disease, and because the clinical course varies greatly among patients, some unfortunately discontinue treatment midway,” Kim said. “Through ongoing research and improvements in surgical techniques, we will continue working to improve patients’ quality of life and help them return to daily activities.”

Kim Jung-hyun