Skin Cancer and a First Line Option

SKIN CANCER AND A FIRST LINE OPTION!

Superficial Radiation is considered a first line option for treating NMSC. Recent studies show current cure rates of over 99% for basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

According to a 2021 study, Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (Image-Guided SRT) published in Oncology and Therapy, the most advanced non-surgical technology for the treatment of common skin cancers, is 99.3% effective in treating basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The results of the study, which is one of the largest multi-institutional studies of superficial radiotherapy for the treatment of these cancers ever, demonstrate that there is a highly effective therapy for skin cancers, which does not involve surgery, and gives patients more choices in their care.

“The results of this study demonstrate that Image-Guided SRT should be considered as a first-line treatment option for early-stage basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma,” said study co-author Christopher R. Shea, MD, dermatologist and professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.

Low amounts of X-ray energy are used to kill the cancer cells, which let healthy skin grow back without the need for reconstructive surgery.

Image-Guided SRT has the benefit of allowing your doctor to see the skin cancer cells below the surface with high frequency ultrasound and pinpoint the x-rays to the cancer. This also allows the doctor, as well as a highly trained, Board-Certified Radiation Therapist, and the patient to visually see the cancer shrink over time ensuring the treatment is working, and the best possible chance for cure.

Redness and inflammation may occur; however, it is short-lived, and IG-SRT has a favorable cosmetic result with no pain, no cutting, and no scaring. This is particularly important in areas where tissue-sparing is important, where IG-SRT might be better suited than surgery. Surgery can have undesirable cosmetic and functional consequences requiring reconstructive surgery. Another benefit while being treated with superficial radiation, there is no need to skip your normal daily activities. Patients deserve a choice in their care, and they should have all options available for their skin cancers explained to them by their doctor.

IG-SRT

• Gives patients another choice besides surgery to treat their skin cancers
• Is safe and well-tolerated
• Uses low amounts of low x-ray energy
• Ultrasound technology provides images to find, measure, and optimize the treatment of the cancerous cells
• No anesthesia
• 15-minute treatment sessions over the course of a few weeks
• No cutting, no bleeding, no pain, no scaring
• May treat multiple cancers at a time
• No need to skip daily activities
• Both patient satisfaction and cure rates over 99%
• Contrary to misinformation, IG-SRT only has about a 5% chance of inducing a secondary cancer around 20-30 years after treatment