Electronic Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Results at 3 Years
September 2013
in “
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics
”
Studysummary This study found that high dose rate electronic brachytherapy was effective for non-melanoma skin cancer, with no recurrences and good to excellent cosmesis up to three years post-treatment.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The study assessed the effectiveness, adverse effects, and cosmesis of high dose rate (HDR) electronic brachytherapy for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in 172 patients with 247 lesions over three years. The treatment involved delivering 40 Gy in eight fractions using a surface applicator. No recurrences were observed with a mean follow-up of 10 months. Acute effects like rash and pruritis were common but resolved within a year, while late effects included hypopigmentation and hair loss. Cosmesis was rated as good to excellent in all cases up to three years post-treatment. The study concluded that HDR electronic brachytherapy is an effective, non-surgical treatment option for NMSC with acceptable toxicity and excellent cosmetic outcomes.
