For decades, Mohs surgery has been considered the “gold standard” for the treatment of basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, even for cases where cosmetically important features of the face like the eyes, nose, lips, ears, and scalp are the area being treated. As the incidence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma continues to rise, and as Americans continue to grow older, many dermatologists are turning to the SRT-100 to treat these cases of non-melanoma skin cancer.

The SRT-100 utilizes precise doses of superficial radiation that only go skin deep to kill and effectively remove the targeted cancer cells. Patients who are older, on blood thinners, suffer from other medical issues, or have lesions on areas of the body that would be difficult to repair may not be good candidates for Mohs surgery. Superficial radiation therapy is a valuable alternative to Mohs surgery.

While Mohs surgery boasts an outstanding cure rate of 98%, it also comes with many downsides. It’s a surgical operation, so patients may require anesthesia, there is cutting involved, there can be stitches, and reconstructive plastic surgery may be required after to repair the face or treated area. With superficial radiation therapy, a 10-year study shows a cure rate of 95% for both basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

According to Armand Cognetta, MD, chief of dermatology at the Florida State University College of Medicine and a founding partner of Dermatology Associates of Tallahassee, “In a limited number of select lesions on select patients, radiation may be as good as, or better than, Mohs. Even though Mohs has a slightly better cure rate, it might not be the better choice for an older, infirm patient. And for areas that are difficult to repair cosmetically, such as the rim of the nostril, radiation may be superior because the cosmetic result is often better.”

Interested in learning more about the SRT-100 for your dermatology practice? Contact Sensus Healthcare today.