For very elderly or debilitated patients who have very large skin cancers and are unable to tolerate surgery, radiation remains a reasonable option.
Despite a number of benefits, including in recurrence rates, cost, cosmetic outcome, and patient comfort, the use of superficial x-ray therapy (SXRT) for outpatient treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has declined. Investigators performed a retrospective study of the efficacy of SXRT in these settings.
From 2000 to 2010, 712 primary BCCs (631 nodular and 81 superficial), 994 SCCs (861 in situ and 133 invasive), and 9 combined tumors were treated with SXRT at a single dermatology private practice. The 5-year recurrence rates for BCCs were 5.0%, and for cSCCs, 5.8%. The authors conclude that SXRT is a reasonable treatment option for primary BCCs and cSCCs in patients who do not want surgery or a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresConsultant / Advisory boardAmway
Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; Dermatologic Surgery; Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology; Lasers in Medical Science; Skin Therapy Letter
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Health Care Finance Committee); American College of Mohs Surgery (Board of Directors); American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (Board of Directors)