Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. In many cases, it is treated surgically. However, there are situations where surgery is contraindicated or may carry significant risks. In such cases, modern radiation therapy becomes the most effective alternative.
Treatment Strategy
The choice of treatment strategy for skin cancer is always individualized, based on the tumor’s location, disease stage, and the patient's age and overall health.
Radiation oncologist Dr. Sergey Golub explains:
“If surgery is not possible due to the tumor’s complex location, the patient’s general condition, or other limitations, we turn to radiation therapy.”
Surgical treatment in areas such as the face, ears, eyelids, and nose often leads to cosmetic challenges. In these situations, doctors prefer a non-invasive, targeted radiation approach.
“After surgery, it’s often difficult to restore the skin tissue, especially when the tumor is located on the face. In these cases, radiation therapy allows us to treat the patient without major consequences,” adds Dr. Golub.
Two Approaches: External and Interstitial Radiation Therapy
Skin cancer radiation therapy can be performed in two ways:
- External beam radiation therapy — using a linear accelerator
- Brachytherapy — placing the radiation source as close to the tumor as possible
“External therapy is mainly used when the tumor is large (2–3 cm or more) or located in complex areas where surgery is not an option. It is also applied postoperatively when cancer cells are found at the resection margins,” explains Dr. Golub.
Brachytherapy — High Effectiveness
Brachytherapy is one of the most effective treatments for early-stage non-melanoma skin cancer. It is especially useful for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are often caused by sun exposure and other environmental factors.
Brachytherapy specialist Dr. Natalia Kornievskaya emphasizes:
“Brachytherapy is an ideal option for tumors located near the eyes, nose, lips, or ears. It offers complete treatment with excellent cosmetic results — which is particularly important for facial tumors. Plus, the course is short — only 7–8 sessions.”
Interstitial Brachytherapy for Deeper Tumors
For superficial tumors, special applicators are used. For deeper ones, interstitial brachytherapy is performed by inserting flexible catheters (interstitial applicators) directly into the tumor. The radiation source is then delivered to the exact target. This procedure is done under local anesthesia and does not require hospitalization.
The treatment is outpatient, painless, and takes just a few minutes. In early stages, brachytherapy achieves nearly 100% effectiveness.
“In stages I and II, brachytherapy provides up to 99% treatment success. After the procedure, only a small whitish scar remains, which is barely visible,” adds Dr. Kornievskaya.
Conclusion
Modern radiation therapy — especially brachytherapy — opens new opportunities in the treatment of skin cancer: without surgery, without pain, and with outstanding results. These methods are particularly valuable for elderly patients and tumors located in challenging anatomical areas.
Early diagnosis and a properly chosen treatment plan ensure high effectiveness and help preserve the patient’s quality of life.