SKIN CANCER

Radiation therapy involves the use of high energy electron beam or X-rays to destroy cancer cells. This procedure requires 15 to 30 visits to a radiation oncology facility for treatment. The skin cancer is destroyed gradually. Radiation therapy may be used in combination with other types of therapy to treat aggressive or recurrent skin cancer.
Radiation is most often used for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, but may be used for other types of skin cancer.

Recovery time may vary depending on the site treated and the amount of radiation used.

Radiation therapy is often used with great success to treat skin cancer. It may be used:

1. If you cannot undergo other procedures because of your age or other health problems.

2. For skin cancers that are too large or deep to be treated with surgery or with surgery alone.

3. For skin cancers for which surgery has been done with positive margins.

4. For skin cancers in places that are difficult to treat with surgery, such as the eyelid, ear, or nose.

5. For skin cancers that have returned after surgery (recurrent).

6. To treat skin cancers that have spread to regional lymph nodes.

7. To relieve symptoms but not to cure the skin cancer (palliative treatment).

Risks of radiation therapy to treat skin cancer include the following:

1.Skin may become dry and hairless, lose color, and become more easily inflamed (chronic radiation dermatitis).

2. Swelling (edema) if lymph nodes are treated. Side effects are common but generally go away when treatment is finished. They include:

3.Fatigue.

4. Redness and itching of the skin in the radiation field.

5. Hair loss in the area inside the radiation field.