{"id":1521,"date":"2022-06-02T13:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T13:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/?p=1521"},"modified":"2022-06-29T13:41:44","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T13:41:44","slug":"superficial-radiotherapy-learn-more-about-this-painless-skin-cancer-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/superficial-radiotherapy-learn-more-about-this-painless-skin-cancer-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Superficial Radiotherapy: Learn More About This Painless Skin Cancer Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The penetrating rays of the sun, as much as we like sunshine, sometimes can be really harsh and unforgiving. The UV or ultraviolet radiation that comes from the sun can lead to severe problems, like skin cancer, which is among the most common cancers in the US. However, the sun isn\u2019t the only culprit \u2013 tanning beds can also damage the skin leading to skin cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">More and more people are diagnosed with skin cancers than any other type of malignancy. Fortunately, the field of <\/span><a href=\"\/green-dermatology\/medical-dermatology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">medical dermatology<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers several <\/span><a href=\"\/green-dermatology\/skin-cancer-treatment-specializations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">treatments for skin cancer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, One highly effective treatment is superficial radiotherapy or SRT treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this blog post, we will learn about superficial radiotherapy, and how it can be an efficient skin cancer treatment in the case of non-melanoma malignancies.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Skin Cancers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skin cancer represents a condition where abnormal cells in the epidermis (the skin\u2019s outer layer) start to grow out of control. The reason for this growth is caused by unrepaired DNA damage, triggering several mutations, leading the cells in the skin to multiply fast, forming cancerous tumors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Before getting started with skin cancer treatment options, you should know that we can differentiate three skin cancer types.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Melanoma \u2013 the most severe malignancy type<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The latter two non-melanoma cancers are usually highly treatable, especially if they are diagnosed early.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Who Is At Risk of Developing Skin Cancer? <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1523 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer-.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Beautiful Young Asian Woman Wearing Straw Hat Wide Brim to Protect Her Flawless Face From Ultraviolet in the Sunlight.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer--800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/Who-Is-At-Risk-of-Developing-Skin-Cancer-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">People who have darker skin tones often mistakenly think that they shouldn\u2019t be concerned about skin cancer.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this is a rather dangerous myth. Even though people with darker skin don\u2019t have to worry about sunburns that much, they can still be at risk of developing such malignancies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To decrease the chances of getting skin cancer, you should regularly use sunscreen (usually brands that have both UVB and UVA protection), with an SPF of at least 30, containing either Titanium Dioxide or Zinc.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Common Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before we get started with discussing superficial radiation therapy, we must also say a few words about the most obvious signs of skin cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Typically, the malignancy appears in those areas of the body that we expose to the sun:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hands<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chest<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Legs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Face<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Arms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Legs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Still, the malignancy may also develop in areas that get less sunlight. These areas include the region beneath the toenails, fingernails, the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, and even the genital region.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Depending on the cancer type, the signs and symptoms may differ. Still, generally, the malignancy can present as a lesion that does not heal, itches, bleeds, or even a mole that is changing in size or color. That being said, if you are noticing any of these suspicious symptoms, make an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Skin Cancer Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Superficial radiation therapy is only one of the available treatment options that a dermatologist may recommend. Depending on the location and the size of the lesion, the doctor will usually recommend a variety of possible courses of action.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For instance, they may recommend Mohs surgery, which is a minor procedure that experts perform while the patients are in the office. The surgery is performed in different stages during a single appointment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On the other hand, the dermatologist may recommend superficial radiotherapy or SRT treatment. This is a non-invasive method that\u2019s usually performed in the cases of nonmelanoma cancers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The SRT Treatment for Skin Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned above, SRT or superficial radiation therapy is a medical treatment that uses low-energy X-ray technology. More specifically, the SRT treatment for skin cancer uses low-dose, focused radiation, which only penetrates the surface of the skin, and effectively destroys the malignant cells. And as the low-dose radiation only goes skin-deep, the risk of tissue damage and scarring are minimized. Because of the non-invasive nature of the SRT treatment, no cutting or anesthesia will be required.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The treatment will be administered twice per week and stretch out over the course of several weeks without any downtime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The precise and controlled radiation energy doses are calibrated to penetrate only slightly below the surface of the skin. The radiation energy itself consists of electromagnetic radiation (light particles, also known as X-rays).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When the dermatologist commences with the administration of the SRT skin cancer treatment, the X-rays penetrate the skin about 5 millimeters deep to destroy non-melanoma cells, potentially preventing them from growing and dividing further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As mentioned already, the SRT treatment won\u2019t leave any scars and will not require stitches, which will also eliminate the risk of infection, which can be a potential complication of other procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To sum it up, this type of superficial radiotherapy offers a wide range of advantages over more traditional medical approaches, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Increased comfort while the treatment takes place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Controlled and precise radiation doses to minimize exposure to radiation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No bleeding, no need for anesthesia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Painless treatment option<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At least 95% and higher cure rates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No risk of scarring<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No downtime and other activity restrictions<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">No need for any reconstructive surgery following the treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>The SRT Treamtent for Skin Cancer is Pain-Free<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1524 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free.jpg\" alt=\"Oncologist Examining Patient in Clinic. Cancer Awareness\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/213\/2022\/06\/The-SRT-Treamtent-for-Skin-Cancer-is-Pain-Free.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Superficial radiotherapy is a 30-second long treatment and the overall number of appointments the patient will have will be around 15 to 17.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Before the therapy starts, the dermatologist will mark the areas that need treatment. Once that\u2019s done, the patient will be positioned comfortably with their body covered with a lead vest. This vest is pretty similar to the protective apron for patients when they\u2019re having other body parts X=rayed by other specialists.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To summarize, when patients are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin carcinomas such as squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma, they might not need to undergo surgery to have their condition treated. In the case of non-melanoma, non-invasive SRT treatments will prove to be effective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>A Safe and Pain-Free Treatment<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, non-melanoma cancers are the most common skin cancer forms, meaning that there\u2019s a good chance that patients with a BCC or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.skincancer.org\/skin-cancer-information\/squamous-cell-carcinoma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SCC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> diagnosis will be able to take advantage of superficial radiation therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SRT represents a revolutionary method for treating nonmelanoma malignancies, enabling patients to receive treatment without any risks, pain, or downtime.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That being said, if you\u2019d like to learn more about skin-related malignancies and potential treatment options, feel free to reach out to us a Green Dermatology in Deerfield Beach, FL. Our Board-Certified Dermatologist and kind staff will make sure to help you create the best plan to rejuvenate your skin. Call 954-481-0650 for your appointment.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The penetrating rays of the sun, as much as we like sunshine, sometimes can be really harsh and unforgiving. The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[83,85,84,82,81],"class_list":["post-1521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-skin-conditions","tag-skin-cancer-treatment","tag-srt-treatment","tag-srt-treatment-for-skin-cancer","tag-superficial-radiation-therapy","tag-superficial-radiotherapy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1521"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1521\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/green-dermatology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}