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Radiation Therapy for
Skin Cancer
Understanding Your
Treatment Options |
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FACTS ABOUT SKIN
CANCER |
More than 1 million
cases of basal and
squamous cell skin
cancers will be
diagnosed in the United
States this year. These
cancers can usually be
cured.
Nearly 60,000 cases of
melanoma are diagnosed
annually. Nearly 5,000
men and 2,900 women will
die from the disease
this year.
Skin cancer usually
occurs in adults but can
sometimes affect
children and teenagers. |
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ABOUT SKIN CANCER |
| The skin is the
body's largest organ.
Its job is to protect
internal organs against
damage, heat and
infection. The skin is
also the most exposed
organ to sunlight and
other forms of harmful
ultraviolet rays. There
are three major types of
skin cancer. |
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Basal cell
carcinoma: The
most common form
of skin cancer.
These cancers
begin in the
outer layer of
skin
(epidermis). |
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Squamous
cell carcinoma:
The second most
common type of
skin cancer.
These cancers
also begin in
the epidermis. |
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Melanoma:
The most serious
skin cancer, it
begins in skin
cells called
melanocytes that
produce skin
color (melanin). |
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| If caught and
treated early, most skin
cancers can be cured. Be
sure to talk to your
doctor about anything
unusual on your skin. |
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TREATING SKIN CANCER |
| The treatment you
receive depends on
several factors.
Treatments are often
combined and can
include: |
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Radiation
therapy where
the cancer cells
are killed by
X-rays (photons)
or electrons. |
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Surgery
where the cancer
cells are cut
out and removed |
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Electrodessication
where the cancer
is dried up with
an electric
current and
removed. |
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Cryosurgery
where the cancer
is frozen and
removed. |
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Laser surgery
where the cancer
cells are killed
by laser beams. |
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Chemotherapy
where the cancer
cells are
attacked by a
drug that is
either taken
internally or
applied on the
skin. |
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Photodynamic
therapy where
the cancer is
covered with a
drug that
becomes active
when exposed to
light. |
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Biologic therapy
where doctors
help your immune
system better
fight the
cancer. |
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There are
several
important goals
to consider in
selecting the
best treatment
for any skin
cancer: |
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Cure |
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Function of area
treated (e.g.
eyelid) |
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Cosmetic
appearance after
treatment |
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Convenience of
treatment |
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Expected side
effects of
treatment |
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Discuss with
your doctor
whether
radiation
treatments have
any role in
treating your
skin cancer. |
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EXTERNAL BEAM
RADIATION THERAPY |
External beam radiation
therapy involves a
series of daily
radiation treatments
that can be used to
target skin cancer.
Painless radiation
treatments usually last
less than 5 minutes but
your appointment time is
15-30 minutes each day.
Usually skin cancer
treatments are delivered
daily, Monday to Friday,
for three to seven
weeks. In some
circumstances, radiation
treatments can be given
in higher doses per
treatment to short the
overall treatment time.
The number of treatments
may also depend upon
several other factors,
including tumor size and
location, other
treatments you are
receiving, and other
medical conditions.
Electron beam radiation
therapy can be delivered
using a superficial type
of radiation made of
electrons, which deposit
radiation doses close to
the surface, sparing
many tissues deeper
below the skin. Often, a
rubbery material is
placed on the skin
surface to ensure the
dose is limited to the
skin as much as possible
while still giving the
full dose to the area
needing treatment.
Orthovoltage therapy
is another kind of
superficial radiation
treatment that similar
effectiveness in the
treatment of skin
cancers. Sometimes,
using orthovoltage x-ray
treatment may be
preferable to
electron-based external
radiation treatments
Possible problems
include skin irritation,
redness or itching, and
temporary or permanent
hair loss in the treated
skin. Serious side
effects of skin cancer
radiation treatment are
rare. However, the
likelihood of these
symptoms depend upon of
many factors that your
doctor will discuss with
you at the time of your
visit.
During treatment, talk
to your doctor about any
discomfort you feel. He
or she may be able to
provide medications or
other treatments that
may help. |
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