About The Treatment
Over his career, Dr. Davis has performed over 25,000 skin cancer operations. While surgery is still the primary way to treat that disorder, sometimes, it can be a challenge for certain patients. In the last 10 years or so, a number of FDA-approved devices that deliver superficial radiation for skin cancer have become available in the US. These devices allow a Dermatologist to perform in-office radiation treatment for skin cancer. At Dermatology and Laser Center of San Antonio, we use one such device from a company called Xstrahl out of the UK. Xstrahl, which makes a lot of larger radiation devices in Europe, but has now developed a very good device for the Dermatology office.
The use of radiation in our Dermatology office doesn’t involve radio-isotopes, and is all delivered electronically. The treatment is different in comparison to what you would encounter in a radiation-oncology center. The Xstrahl RADiant System comes with a control center, that we use to track the treatment plan, and is a great piece of software.
The RADiant System
We like our Xstrahl Radiant System. It is small, mobile, and easy to use, without needing a lot of accessories to place on the skin. It’s really remarkable what one can do just with this particular device. Each treatment is only a minute or two long. It’s totally painless, and there is no blood involved. For many patients who have problems with bleeding, healing, are older, or have skin cancer in certain areas, it can be a very good treatment option.
Our Xstrahl RADiant System does both Superficial Radiation Treatment (SRT), and Electronic Brachytherapy (EBT). Patients can expect to be in the office about 15 minutes. We get the patient ready, mark the area to be treated, and place the treatment cone flat against the skin. Then, Dr. Davis administers the radiation. The treatment generally lasts about 1 to 2 minutes.
Who are the best candidates for office-based Radiation Treatment for Skin Cancer?
Good candidates for radiation treatment can include the following men and women:
- People on Blood Thinners
- Patients with Diabetes
- Those who have problems with healing
- Older Patients with Large Skin Cancers on difficult to operate locations, such as the Scalp, Ear, or Lower Leg.