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Mohs surgery and reconstruction: What timeline to expect?
Cancer | Last Active: 7 hours ago | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
A newer, non-surgical alternative to Mohs surgery for treating skin cancer is called Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT), which uses low-dose radiation to target and destroy cancer cells without cutting into the skin, offering a less invasive option with minimal scarring and downtime; it's often referred to as "Image-Guided SRT" due to advanced imaging technology used during treatment.
Key points about SRT as an alternative to Mohs surgery:
Non-invasive:
No cutting or surgical incisions are required.
High cure rate:
Studies show SRT has a high success rate in treating non-melanoma skin cancers.
Minimal side effects:
Most patients experience only mild redness or irritation at the treatment site.
Suitable for sensitive areas:
Particularly beneficial for treating skin cancers on the face or other cosmetically sensitive areas due to minimal scarring.
Other potential alternatives to Mohs surgery (depending on the cancer type and size):
Electrodesiccation and Curettage (ED&C): Scraping off cancerous tissue with a curette followed by electrical destruction.
Cryotherapy: Freezing the cancerous tissue with liquid nitrogen.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Applying a light-sensitive cream to the tumor, then activating it with a specific light to destroy cancer cells.
Topical medications: Applying creams like imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil to the affected area.
Important to note: While these alternatives exist, always consult with a dermatologist to determine the best treatment option based on your specific situation, including the type and location of the skin cancer.
Replies to "A newer, non-surgical alternative to Mohs surgery for treating skin cancer is called Superficial Radiation Therapy..."
Hello. I am a 74 yo female who has used SRT to treat a large basal cell cancer on my lower lip a year ago where surgery would have required a good portion of my lip to be resected. Other than blistering and minimal discomfort, the results are amazing. There is no scarring and I feel fortunate to have a dermatologist who supports this type of treatment.
I have since used SRT to treat basal cell cancer on my nose, also with very impressive results. It does require a time commitment, 3 days per week for a total of 21 treatments, each lasting less than 10 minutes.
Unfortunately I have also undergone surgery for melanoma on my back and lower leg and wish there was an alternative for this type of cancer but I do agree that surgery is the gold standard for melanoma.
Wow, wouldn't that SRT method be great!!!!
Especial on the face. Many of us would not have to go through the painful surgery and scars that Moh's entails.
Thanks for your information, do you know where it is available? Probably only in the larger cancer centers.
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Just to clarify about SRT being newer... "Radiation for skin cancer has been available since the advent of X-ray radiation in the late 19th century, which was limited in energy and thus targeted superficial cutaneous neoplasms. Over 100 years ago, superficial radiation therapy (SRT) was developed. By 1975, 55.5% of dermatology offices in North America either had SRT or Grey Renz Devices available for use, and 44.3% of dermatologists reported regularly using them in the outpatient setting. Despite the technological advancements (high-resolution ultrasound guidance) over the years and ample evidence demonstrating its efficacy for treating NMSC, it has declined in use and is not taught in dermatology residency programs since surgical intervention became the gold standard. Recently, there has been resurfacing interest in SRT, with several studies, coupled with clinical trial data showing excellent cosmetic results and comparable local control and cure rates to surgery. Our recent study shows an absolute lesion control that is comparable to MMS (99.7%) after an average of 7.5 weeks of treatment, with a stable control rate of 99.6% when the follow-up duration was over 12 months and 99.4% at 5 years follow-up."
Old Solutions May Be the New Answer: How the Use of Modern Superficial Radiation Therapy Might Address Disparities in Dermatologic Care, Journal of Dermatology and Skin Science, December 6, 2022