West Hills Dermatology is proud to offer the non-surgical, gold-standard treatment for nonmelanoma skin cancer.
If you suspect that you have skin cancer or have recently been diagnosed and were told you need treatment, schedule an appointment with us today. We offer GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT)—the surgery-free, gold-standard treatment for skin cancer. On your first visit, we will review your pathology report, discuss your treatment goals, and work with you to determine the treatment option that best meets your needs.
The team at West Hills Dermatology believes that every patient deserves a choice when it comes to treatment. Image Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy is a safe, painless, and highly effective alternative to surgical treatment of skin cancer. IG-SRT successfully treats Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma as well as Basal Cell Carcinoma with a 99% cure rate. Call us at West Hills Dermatology to schedule an appointment to find out if IG-SRT is the correct treatment for you!
There are several different radiation-based treatments available for skin cancer. But the safety, cure rates, and cosmetic outcomes vary based on the treatment technology and clinical protocols used. We chose GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT) because it is the only skin cancer treatment with advanced imaging that lets us see and measure the cancer and adapt the dose to precisely what you need at each stage of treatment. It has also been shown to be the safest and most effective of all radiation-based treatments for skin cancer with superior cosmetic results.
If you are considering radiation therapy to treat your skin cancer, make sure you are getting GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT) with adaptive radiotherapy protocols. It's the safe, effective, and gentle way to treat skin cancer using the most advance treatment technology available today.
IG-SRT FAQs
What to expect at your first appointment
At each treatment session, you will sit in a chair and ultrasound gel will be applied to the site of the cancer. Using an imaging wand, we will look at a detailed image of your cancer on screen. You can see the image yourself from the comfort of the chair. We will use that image to measure the size and shape of the tumor, calculate the precise dose of treatment, and define the treatment area.
Once the imaging is complete, the arm of the device will be placed over the treatment site and the exact dose of X-ray energy will be used to treat the cancer site without harming the healthy tissue around it.
Each treatment session takes about 15 minutes from the time you walk in the door to when you leave the office. You will come back several times a week for short treatment sessions, and in 4-to-7 weeks, treatment will be complete.
What are the side effects?
When X-ray energy is used to kill cancer cells, your body will replace the dead cancer cells with healthy tissue over time. There is no surgical scarring and no need for reconstructive surgery. There is, however, a small risk of skin atrophy (thinning of the skin) and pigment changes (changes in the color of the skin) at the treatment site. Other potential side effects may include skin inflammation with redness and swelling at the treatment site. Topical creams or ointments can be used over the course of treatment to minimize these side effects, and the side effects usually go away 2-to 6-weeks after treatment is complete. There is also a risk of alopecia (hair loss) in the treated area only.
In the 7 years that patients have been receiving GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT), there have been NO reported cases of secondary skin cancers occuring as a result of treatment.Does my insurance cover IG-SRT?
With most insurance plans, you may have to pay some out-of-pocket cost. That cost will depend on your specific health plan coverage and co-pay policy. Before you commit to a treatment option, we will work with your insurance plan to determine the potential cost to you, so you can make an informed treatment decision. If you are worried about affording treatment, let us know and we can discuss our financial assistance options.
More than 66,000 patients have been successfully treated with GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT)
Patients report being satisfied with GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT). In a survey of more than 12,000 patients who completed treatment, 99.9% reported being happy with their treatment decision and said they would recommend GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT) to others.
Shideh Khabazian
Position: Radiation TherapistCompany West Hills Dermatology Group
About Me: With an impressive 24 years of dedicated service in the field of radiation oncology, I am Shideh Khabazian, a Radiation Therapist at West Hills Dermatology Group. My journey in the world of cancer care began when I received my Radiologic Technology degree in 1999. I furthered my education at City of Hope, where I earned my Radiation Therapy degree. For most of my career, I have had the honor of serving as a Lead Therapist, guiding therapy teams, and ensuring the highest standard of patient care.
Experience: My extensive experience has allowed me to witness the evolution of cancer care and the transformative impact of radiation therapy on countless lives. Over the years, I've had the privilege of treating diverse patients, including those battling skin cancer, and have honed my skills in precision treatment techniques.
Education: I hold a Radiologic Technology degree and a Radiation Therapy degree from City of Hope, an institution renowned for its commitment to excellence in cancer care. My academic foundation has been instrumental in providing the best care to my patients.
Passions and Interests: My passion lies in the daily interactions with patients, which have become the driving force behind my love for this profession. I am not just a provider of treatment; I am a listener and a source of emotional support, believing in the power of individualized relationships in the healing process.
Contact Information: If you would like to connect or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at West Hills Dermatology Group. My mission is to ensure the effective and safe delivery of radiation therapy to help combat cancer and improve the well-being of our patients.
I am committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve at West Hills Dermatology Group.
GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT) has a proven track record that is backed by science and clinical research
At West Hills Dermatology, our team of dermatologists reviewed the published research and here is what we found:
● In 2021, chart reviews were conducted for 1632 patients who had Image-Guided SRT to treat one or more early-stage basal or squamous cell skin cancers. Of those patients, 2917 skin cancers in total were treated. The results showed a 99.3% cure rate with Image-Guided SRT, which we believe to be equal to or better than Mohs surgery.
● In 2022 and 2023, additional studies were published that showed the efficacy and safety of Image-Guided SRT to be superior to non-image-guided forms of radiation therapy across skin cancer types—confirming its use as a first-line treatment for basal and squamous cell skin cancers. This means doctors and patients should give equal consideration to Mohs surgery and surgery-free Image-Guided SRT as standards of care.
More information about the published research supporting the use of GentleCure (Image-Guided SRT) can be found here.
When it comes to skin cancer treatment, you deserve options. We are here to help.
Appointments are available.
If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer and told you need Mohs surgery, or you are concerned that you may have skin cancer and need treatment, give us a call or schedule your appointment online today.
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(818) 592-6088