Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/894235
Case Study: An 80-year-old male presented with a 3.5 cm skin lesion on the right postauricular scalp. A biopsy showed superficial basal cell skin cancer. Treatment included alternating 50kV and 70kV energies, 3 days a week, for 20 fractions. Two weeks after the last treatment, the lesion was gone. There was no scar. Thomas Myers, DO, of Summit Dermatology, a division of Unity Health Network, in Stow, Ohio, is the first in the region to o€er a new non-surgical option — Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT). SRT uses very focused, low-dose radiation that penetrates only skin-deep to stop cancer cells from spreading. Patients receive a series of very short (approximately 30 second) treatments, usually once or twice a week over a series of weeks. The process does not involve anesthesia or an incision, thereby avoiding the related side e€ects. With SRT, there is no cutting, bleeding, stitching or pain. Only some redness and irritation at the treatment site are reported. And there are no downtime or lifestyle restrictions. "I know firsthand that many of my skin cancer patients would prefer a non-invasive alternative for treating their cancer," says Dr. Myers, who performs SRT as an in-o¨ce procedure at Summit Dermatology. "In addition to catering to those patients with an aversion to surgery, the new SRT technology is also ideal for those who have existing medical conditions that make surgery a serious health risk. This would include those with co-morbid conditions of blood thinner maintenance and diabetic concerns. Traditional therapies are not workable for these types of patients." The benefits of this alternative treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer are impressive. One of the most notable is clinical out- comes; studies have shown a 95%+ cure rate for non-melanoma skin cancer using SRT. Following treatment, patients also are a€orded superior cosmesis; there's no unsightly scarring. And there is no need for post-treatment reconstructive surgeries. "SRT is an extremely appealing option, especially if a patient's cancer is in plain sight on the face — the nose, the eyelid, lips or ear," says Dr. Myers. He points out that the goa l at Summit Dermatolog y is to provide optimal solutions for patients' needs. And, in the case of non-melanoma skin cancer, a non-surgical alternative makes a lot of sense. "SRT optimizes patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes," says Dr. Myers. "We are excited to o€er the service to the growing number of patients a€ected with non-melanoma skin cancer." Summit Dermatology, a division of Unity Health Network, is located at 4465 Darrow Road in Stow, Ohio. For more infor- mation, visit http://summitdermohio.org. To refer a patient, call 330-926-3495. ■ REFERENCES 1. Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Feldman SR , Coldiron BM. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer ( keratinocyte carcinomas) in the US population, 2012. JAMA Dermatol 2015; 151(10):1081-1086. 2. Cancer Facts and Figures 2017. American Cancer Society. http:// www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@editorial/documents/document/ acspc-048738.pdf. Accessed January 10, 2017. 3. Stern, RS. Prevalence of a history of skin cancer in 2007: results of an incidence-based model. Arch Dermatol 2010; 146(3):279-282. 4. Robinson, JK. Sun exposure, sun protection, and vitamin D. JAMA 2005; 294:1541-43. 5. UV Exposure and Sun Protective Practices. Cancer Trends Progress Report — March 2015 Update. National Cancer Institute. http:// progressreport.cancer.gov/prevention/sun _protection. Accessed February 16, 2016. 6. Mohan SV, Chang ALS. Advanced basal cell carcinoma: epidemiology and therapeutic innovations. Curr Dermatol Rep 2014; 3(1):40-45. Published online Feb 9, 2014. doi: 10.1007/s13671-014-0069-y. PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKIN CURE ONCOLOGY LLC M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S C L E V E L A N D /A K R O N / C A N T O N 2 017 1 3