What to Expect

Knowledgeable Dermatologists, Radiation
Therapists and support staff guide you
through every step of your treatment.

Understanding IG-SRT Treatment

 

Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT) is chosen by informed patients who may not be ideal candidates for Mohs surgery or are seeking a non-invasive option for treating basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma skin cancers.

 

What to Expect During IG-SRT Treatment

Understandably, non-melanoma skin cancer patients who make IG-SRT their chosen method among Squamous cell or Basal cell cancer treatments tend to have a lot of questions before they begin the treatment process. GentleCure understands this, and we want you to feel confident and educated before starting your IG-SRT treatment. We’ve provided thorough answers to some commonly asked questions and outlined the treatment process in full, below.

IG-SRT TREATMENT PROCESS

When you visit a skin cancer center for IG-SRT treatment, you’ll be met with care and compassion from knowledgeable Dermatologists, Radiation Therapists, and a support staff. Think of them as your dedicated care team, here to guide you through every step of your Squamous cell or Basal cell cancer treatment process. Here’s a step-by-step overview of what to expect:

  1. Your review and signing of an informed consent to discuss treatment expectations.
     
  2. A simulation where photos, ultrasound images, and treatment parameters are entered into a computer for documentation and reproducibility. (No treatment on this day.)
     
  3. An overview of your treatment schedule
    (2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x/week for a total of 20 treatments).
     
  4. You will generally be treated by the same Radiation Therapist each time you come in, but all Radiation Therapists are trained to treat you.
     
  5. Your Radiation Therapist will evaluate your skin reaction daily, and once per week, you will be seen by your practitioner for evaluation. (No treatment is given on the day you see your practitioner.)
     
  6. Your care team will recommend medication as needed for skin reactions, change your treatment if necessary, or place you on a break for a short period if the skin needs some rest from the treatment.
     
  7. Your skin will heal up quickly after the treatment is completed.

Commonly Asked Questions

If you’ve recently visited a dermatology and skin cancer center after exhibiting Squamous cell or Basal cell cancer symptoms and were diagnosed with one of these two non-melanoma skin cancers, you’ve probably got a lot of questions to answer before you begin IG-SRT therapy. We’ve covered some of our more commonly received queries to help you better understand what’s to come, below.

What is non-melanoma skin cancer?
Following a non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis at a dermatology and skin cancer center, one of the two most commonly asked questions is “what does that mean?” Your body is made up of cells, and over time cells die off and are replaced by new cells. Your body typically controls that process, but when cell growth gets out of control, the condition is called “cancer”. When the uncontrolled growth involves skin cells, that’s called “skin cancer.” When the uncontrolled growth starts in the melanin-forming cells of the skin, it’s called melanoma. When the uncontrolled growth starts in any other type of skin cells, it’s called non-melanoma.. The two most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer are Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma, both of which can often be treated with IG-SRT therapy.

How did I get non-melanoma skin cancer?
Following a non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis, it’s common to wonder how you got it. While a number of factors may be involved, non-melanoma skin cancer is typically caused over time by exposure to the sun’s harmful rays. As we age, the cumulative effect over time may be the development of skin cancer. There are two important things to remember: (1) You are not alone. In the USA alone, more than three-and-a-half million people a year are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer. (2) The important question is not “how you got the disease,” it’s “how and where you’ll have it treated”. Knowing your options is an important first step. While many dermatologists simply recommend Mohs surgery, Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT) may be a desirable non-surgical alternative.

Am I radioactive, and is my treatment dangerous to myself or others?
No, you are not radioactive and your treatment is very safe.

Will my hair fall out?
No, other than mild irritation at the treatment site, your body is unaffected.

Does the treatment penetrate bone?
No, the treatment only penetrates a few millimeters into the patient's tissue and has little effect on normal surrounding tissue.

What precautions should I follow?
Wash the areas lightly with a gentle soap; do not use a washcloth, pat dry, and do not use perfumes, deodorant, or any kind of medicine on the area without checking with a medical professional first. Always cover the area with clothing or sunscreen, as the skin is more sensitive to sunlight when being treated or after treatment is complete.

If the lesion were to come back, can I have it treated with IG-SRT again?
No, in the unlikely event your cancer were to come back, it would have to be treated surgically.

How long will I be in the office each day for treatment?
Treatments generally take about 15 minutes total. (Simulation on the first day takes 30-45 minutes.)

You can also visit our FAQs page to find further information on Squamous or Basal cell cancer symptoms and more before your first appointment at your chosen skin cancer center.

Have Additional Questions? GentleCure Is Here to Assist

Every individual and every situation is unique, and every individual’s experience with Squamous cell or Basal cell cancer treatment will be their own. While we’ve attempted on this page to answer many of the most commonly asked questions concerning non-melanoma skin cancer treatment, we invite and encourage you to call us at 312-987-6543 to learn more. Our Skin Cancer Information Specialists will be happy to provide you with the information you and your physician need to make a better-informed treatment decision. You can also check out our helpful blog, where you will find detailed information on skin protection and much more.

Every outcome is unique to the individual. Click here to see the superior
results of Image Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT).