Introduction: An image-guided form of superficial ionizing radiation therapy (IGSRT) is becoming a commonly used alternative to surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). However, there is little literature evidence evaluating the efficacy and safety of this approach. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of IGSRT in treating a large number of patients with NMSC.
Methods: The medical records of 1632 stage 0-II patients with 2917 invasive and in situ NMSC lesions treated from years 2017 to 2020 were reviewed. No patients had clinical evidence of regional lymph node or distant disease at presentation.
Results: Treatment, guided by pre-treatment ultrasound imaging to adjust radiation energy and dose, combined with a fractionation treatment schedule of 20 or more treatment fractions, was safe and well tolerated. Of 2917 NMSC lesions treated, local tumor control was achieved in 2897 lesions, representing a 99.3% rate of control.
Conclusion: IGSRT should be considered as a first-line option for treating NMSC tumors in suitable early stage patients. Cure rates observed in this initial period of follow-up are similar, and potentially superior with further follow-up, to traditional superficial radiation therapy (SRT) and surgical options.
Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Image-guided superficial radiation therapy; Non-melanoma skin cancer; Squamous cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma in situ.