The use of brachytherapy in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer: A review

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 65; no. 2; pp. 377 - 388
• Main Authors: Alam, Murad, MD, MSCI, Nanda, Shivani, BS, Mittal, Bharat B., MD, Kim, Natalie A., BA, Yoo, Simon, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: basal cell carcinoma; Biological and medical sciences; brachytherapy; Brachytherapy - adverse effects; Brachytherapy - methods; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - radiotherapy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - mortality; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - radiotherapy; Dermatology; Disease-Free Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; interstitial brachytherapy; Male; Medical sciences; nonmelanoma skin cancer; Patient Selection; Radiation Injuries - prevention & control; Radiotherapy Dosage; Risk Assessment; Skin Neoplasms - mortality; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Neoplasms - radiotherapy; squamous cell carcinoma; surface-mold brachytherapy; Survival Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; surface-mold brachytherapy; BCC; interstitial brachytherapy; high-dose rate; Ir; low-dose rate; NMSC; iridium; SCC; HDR; nonmelanoma skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma; brachytherapy; LDR; squamous cell carcinoma; Skin disease; Treatment; Dermatology; Malignant tumor; Radiotherapy; Curietherapy; Bibliographic review; Cancer; Skin cancer
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2010.03.027

Nonmelanoma skin cancers can be treated by various modalities, including electrodessication and curettage, excisional techniques, and radiation. In selected cases, radiation may be preferable to surgery. When radiation is an option, brachytherapy, a form of radiation therapy that places the radiation source close to the area to be treated, may have advantages relative to conventional external beam radiation in particular patients. After brachytherapy, recurrence rates for nonmelanoma skin cancers are low, especially for small, superficial lesions, with good to excellent functional and cosmetic results. This article reviews the indications, efficacy, and adverse effects of brachytherapy in the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers.