Everything You Need to Know About Superficial Radiation Therapy

What’s the most common type of cancer in the United States? It’s skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that around 9,500 people in the US are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and 1 in 5 will develop skin cancer during their lives, often because of too much sun exposure.

At Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jean-Denis Boucher and his team routinely see cases of skin cancer in patients at their Live Oak, Texas, office.

One of our go-to therapies for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas is superficial radiation therapy. If you don’t know what that is, the team explains everything you need to know here.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, comes from the basal cells located at the bottom of the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. Basal cells produce new skin cells. As the new cells are produced, they push older cells toward the skin's surface, where they die and are sloughed off.

The process of new cell creation is controlled by a basal cell's DNA, the molecule that contains the instructions for how a cell behaves. When the DNA is damaged (mutated), the basal cells start to multiply rapidly and continue to grow when they would normally die. Eventually, the mass of abnormal cells may form a cancerous tumor — a lesion that appears on the skin.

Much of the DNA damage is believed to come from ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in sunlight and tanning lamps and beds. Avoiding exposure, covering up when you go out, and using sunscreen all help to protect your skin.

On white skin, basal cell carcinoma appears as a bump that's skin-colored or pink. On brown and Black skin, it appears like a bump that's brown or glossy black and has a rolled border. You might see tiny blood vessels, too, which make the bump bleed and scab over.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

The middle and outer layers of skin are made up of squamous cells. These cells give name to the second most common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. It’s usually not life-threatening; however, if you don’t treat it, the carcinoma can grow quite  large or spread to other parts of the body, causing serious complications.

Like basal cell carcinoma, most squamous cell carcinomas result from too much UV radiation, so you need to protect your skin with clothing and a good sunscreen.

Squamous cell carcinomas grow anywhere on the skin. In people who sunburn easily, they’re usually found on exposed areas, including the scalp, ears, lips, and the backs of the hands. However, in people with Black and brown skin, they’re more likely to be found on skin that isn't exposed to sun, such as the genitals, inside the mouth, or on the bottoms of the feet.

The carcinomas can be a firm nodule on the skin that’s pink, red, black, or brown, depending on skin color; a flat sore with a scaly crust; a rough, scaly patch on the lip or in the mouth that may open up; or a raised patch or wart-like sore on or in the anus or on the genitals.

If you have a sore or scab that doesn't heal in about two months, or if you have a flat patch of scaly skin that won't go away, make an appointment with Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic to get it evaluated.

What is superficial radiation therapy?

Superficial radiation delivers X-ray radiation to cells on or near the skin’s surface. So named because the radiation penetrates just the surface of the skin, this procedure won’t damage deeper tissues. Scarring, especially on the face, is kept to a minimum with this treatment.

Before you start treatment, you have a planning appointment so the doctor can work out the dose of radiotherapy you need and exactly where to direct it. He marks the area with a pen, and the radiographers take measurements and photographs based on his marking. Depending on the treatment area, we may also fashion lead shielding for you to protect nearby areas from radiation.

For the treatment itself, the radiographers place you in the proper position on a table and put applicators on or close to your skin; these will deliver the radiation to your body. The treatment itself only lasts a few minutes.

After the treatment, you’re free to go home. Dr. Boucher will tell you how many times you need to have the radiotherapy. It can vary from a single session to a session every weekday for up to about six weeks. 

If you’ve noticed any type of growth or flaky sore on your skin, it’s important to seek medical attention so you can get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Lone Star State Dermatology Clinic is your partner in this journey. To get started, call our office at 210-651-3233 or book an appointment online with us today.