The Benefits of Radiation Therapy for Skin Cancer

Basal & Squamous Cell Carcinomas Cured With Excellent Cosmetic Results
Radiation therapy is a highly-effective, non-surgical treatment option for both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. It offers a 95% local control rate, the same as surgical resection or Mohs microsurgery. Various radiation therapy technologies help to precisely deliver a superficial form of radiation that penetrates only a short distance below the skin surface to eradicate cancer with excellent cosmetic and functional results. The most commonly used modalities are External Beam Radiation Therapy (superficial x-rays, electron beam therapy) and Brachytherapy (temporary radioactive source placed on/near the skin).

Who is a candidate for Radiation Therapy?
Patients with...
• basal or squamous cell skin cancer that has not previously been treated with radiation to the same area as the new cancer
• healing difficulties, such as diabetics and the elderly
• bleeding problems, including those who need to remain on blood-thinning medications
• multiple skin cancers or larger skin cancers in one or more regions on the body, like the scalp, face, extremities, trunk, or torso
• skin cancer that, if surgically removed, may require additional surgery, such as a skin graft or flap, to cover the surgical defect
• skin cancers in cosmetically and functionally challenging areas like the eyelids, nose, ears, lips, or hands


Other skin cancers that radiation can also treat include melanoma (reserved for patients who are too ill or refuse surgery), Merkel cell carcinoma, and sweat gland tumors.

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