Superficial Radiation Therapy with GentleCure

With skin cancer on the rise, and nearly four million Americans diagnosed with basal and squamous cell carcinoma annually, physicians and patients now have an additional treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer known as Superficial Radiation Therapy, or SRT for short.

At Pinnacle Dermatology, we are proud to offer GentleCure. The gold standard in non-surgical treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Want to treat your skin cancer without surgery?

GentleCure is a gentle, surgery-free treatment that is safe and has a very high cure rate in most lower-risk basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Treatment is done right in the dermatology office over the course of 5-7 weeks using an advanced ImageGuided SRT machine. It is the only skin cancer treatment with ultra-sound imaging that lets you see the cancer on the screen and review the progress made throughout the course of treatment until there are no visible signs of cancer.

Superficial radiation therapy involves the use of low-energy radiation to treat skin conditions, usually cancers or non-cancerous growths on or just beneath the skin's surface. Unlike deep radiation therapy, which penetrates deeper into the body, SRT specifically targets the outer layers of the skin.

• Non-Invasive Treatment: SRT is a non-invasive treatment option, meaning there is no surgery involved. Patients typically lie comfortably during the sessions.
• Localized Treatment: The radiation is targeted precisely to the affected area, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision is particularly important when treating skin cancers on visible areas like the face.
• Outpatient Procedure: SRT is often performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to go home the same day. The number of treatment sessions varies depending on the specific condition and the treatment plan.
• Minimal Side Effects: Compared to traditional radiation therapy, SRT tends to have fewer side effects.

When X-ray energy is used to kill cancer cells, your body will replace the dead cancer cells with healthy tissue over time. There is no need for reconstructive surgery and cosmetic results can be very good. But there is often thinning of the skin, particularly in areas with many oil glands like the nasal tip. There is also a risk of temporary or permanent pigment changes in the skin at the treatment site. There will be permanent hair loss in the entire treatment field. Other potential side effects may include skin inflammation with redness and swelling at the treatment site, and ulceration and slow healing on the lower legs. Topical creams or ointments can be used over the course of treatment to minimize these side effects, and the side effects usually go away 2-to 6-weeks after treatment is complete.

In the 7 years that patients have been receiving GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT), there have been NO reported cases of secondary skin cancers occurring as a result of treatment.

Pinnacle Dermatology offers a non-surgical skin cancer treatment option with Superficial Radiation Therapy.  SRT penetrates the skin’s surface with a precise dose of Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) to treat basal and squamous cell carcinomas. SRT can also be an appropriate non-surgical treatment option for keloid scars.

SRT safely destroys cancerous cells without damaging healthy surrounding tissue. Physicians view treatment areas with high-frequency ultrasound allowing them to thoroughly assess and target cancer cells with precision.

If you suspect that you have skin cancer or have recently been diagnosed and were told you need treatment, schedule an appointment with us today. We offer GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT)—the best non-surgical treatment for many common skin cancers. On your first visit, we will review your pathology report, discuss your treatment options, and work with you to determine the treatment plan that best meets your needs.

There are several different radiation-based treatments available for skin cancer. But the safety, cure rates, and cosmetic outcomes vary based on the treatment technology and clinical protocols used. We chose GentleCure (ImageGuided SRT) because it is the only skin cancer treatment with advanced imaging that lets us see and measure the cancer and adapt the dose to precisely what you need at each stage of treatment. It has also been shown to be the safest and most effective of all radiation-based treatments for skin cancer with very good cosmetic results.

 If you are considering radiation therapy to treat your skin cancer, make sure you are getting GentleCure (ImageGuided SRT) with adaptive radiotherapy protocols. It’s the safe, effective, and gentle way to treat skin cancer using the most advanced treatment technology available today.

Preparing for Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) is generally straightforward. Patients are advised to wear comfortable clothing, as the treatment area needs to be easily accessible. It's essential to inform your dermatology team about any medications, allergies, or existing skin conditions. Jewelry or accessories in the treatment area should be removed, and patients should avoid using lotions, creams, or makeup on the treatment site on the day of the session. Open communication with your provider is crucial to address any concerns or questions regarding the procedure. 

Overall, SRT preparation emphasizes simplicity and ensuring the targeted skin area is ready for the focused and effective treatment.

At QualDerm Partners, our team of dermatologists reviewed the published research and here is what we found:

In 2021, chart reviews were conducted for 1632 patients who had Image-Guided SRT to treat one or more early-stage basal or squamous cell skin cancers. Of those patients, 2917 skin cancers in total were treated. The results showed a short-term local response rate of 99% with Image-Guided SRT.

In 2022 and 2023, additional studies were published that showed the efficacy and safety of Image Guided SRT to be superior to non-image-guided forms of radiation therapy.