Radiation Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

 

A machine is used to target high-energy rays specifically at the cancerous area. Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is not a common treatment for skin cancer, but may be used in certain instances, such as when the cancer is in an area that makes surgery difficult or when the patient is not a good candidate for surgery because of age or health reasons. This treatment may also be used in very advanced cases or when skin cancer recurs after initial surgical treatment.

The way in which radiation therapy is delivered depends on the extent and type of non-melanoma skin cancer that is being treated:

  • External radiation therapy is delivered by a machine that aims radiation beams directly to the cancer site.
  • Internal radiation therapy is given by sealing radioactive medicine in a small device, such as a needle, “seed,” wire, or catheter (thin, hollow, flexible tubing), that is placed directly into or close to the site of the cancer.

Side effects from radiation therapy are common but usually temporary. They may include soreness, redness, or blistering at the radiation site, or hair thinning or loss.

This content has been reviewed and approved by Myo Thant, MD.

This content was last modified on February 21, 2008 .
Latest Cancer News
ACOG Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

November 20, 2009 — The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has revised its cervical cancer screening recommendations: the organization now recommends that women begin screening at the age of 21 and receive screening at less frequent intervals. These recommendations will be published in the December 2009 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

New Velcade®-melphalan Transplant Regimen for Multiple Myeloma

November 20, 2009 — Researchers from France have reported encouraging results with adding Velcade® (bortezomib) to high-dose melphalan followed by autologus stem cell infusion for initial treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. The details of this Phase II study appeared in an early online publication in Blood on November 2, 2009.

Folic Acid May Be Beneficial in Patients with Recurrent Colorectal Adenoma Who Are Folate Deficient

November 20, 2009 — Researchers affiliated with the Health Professional Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study have reported that folic acid supplementation in patients with recurrent colorectal adenoma was not protective or harmful in most patients. However, patients who were folate deficient had a significant 39% decrease in adenoma recurrence. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication on October 28, 2009 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Select news items provided by Reuters Health