The use of brachytherapy in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a review.

Abstract

Nonmelanoma skin cancers can be treated by various modalities, including electrodessication and curettage, excisional techniques, and radiation. In selected cases, radiation may be preferable to surgery. When radiation is an option, brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy that places the radiation source close to the area to be treated, may have advantages relative to conventional external beam radiation in particular patients. After brachytherapy, recurrence rates for nonmelanoma skin cancers are low, especially for small, superficial lesions, with good to excellent functional and cosmetic results. This article reviews the indications, efficacy, and adverse effects of brachytherapy in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers.

• Authors: Murad Alam, Shivani Nanda, Bharat B Mittal, Natalie A Kim, Simon Yoo
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 65 Issue 2 Pg. 377-388 (Aug 2011) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21496952 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Brachytherapy (adverse effects, methods)
• Carcinoma, Basal Cell (mortality, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (mortality, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Disease-Free Survival
• Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Patient Selection
• Radiation Injuries (prevention & control)
• Radiotherapy Dosage
• Risk Assessment
• Skin Neoplasms (mortality, pathology, radiotherapy)
• Survival Analysis
• Treatment Outcome