Skin Cancer Radiation Treatment
Radiation therapy may be used for cancerous and non-cancerous skin lesions. Radiation therapy detects and destroys any pre-cancerous, cancerous or other abnormal cells that have formed in and around the lesion, many of which may go undetected with normal surgical excision. The main type of radiation used for the treatment of skin cancers are low-level x-rays, or superficial orthovoltage x-rays, that do not penetrate deep into the body and are relative safe and painless. In addition, electron beams and gamma rays are other forms of radiation that are sometimes used to treat skin cancers. The benefit of radiation treatment is that most normal tissue are unharmed, providing painless, cosmetically-pleasing results depending on the treatment area and size.
For patients undergoing radiation therapy for skins cancers, this treatment is used for:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Cutaneoud Lympohomas
- Kaposi Sarcoma
- Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Radiation Treatment for Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
Radiation therapy may be used for those patients with keloids and hypertrophic scarring. For most patients, keloids or hypertrophic scars, develop as part of a healing process from some form of trauma or injury. One can develop keloids from a simple ear piercing or serious procedure such as open heart surgery. In order to prevent keloids from reforming, following their excision or removal, radiation therapy may be a suitable option with excellent cosmetic results in 95% of the cases with relapse rate as low as 2%.
