IMAGE GUIDED SUPERFICIAL RADIATION THERAPY
(IG-SRT)
OVERVIEW
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!
WHAT IS IG-SRT?
IG-SRT is not like radiation used to treat other cancer diagnoses. IG-SRT is a non-surgical treatment that uses a low level of x-ray energy to kill non-melanoma skin cancer cells, and then allows the regeneration of healthy tissue to grow back in its place. Superficial Radiation Therapy delivers an exact, customized, calibrated dose of radiation that only goes about 5mm below your skin’s surface, which is approximately the thickness of your skin. An ultrasound is completed during treatments to measure the lesion size and is utilized to track the progress of your treatment. IG-SRT is completed over 20-25 short painless treatments that are completed in our office, performed by a Radiation Therapist.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT FIRST APPOINTMENT?
At the initial consultation with our radiation therapist, you will have the opportunity to express any areas of concerns and ask questions. The area will have an ultrasound completed to identify the size and depth of the skin cancer. Then, the treatment area will be marked. Once you are in a comfortable position, a lead shield will be strategically placed over you to protect you from any radiation. Next, the machine will be placed over the treatment area, your IG-SRT is now set up for your successful treatment! Once the consultation is completed, we will reach out to you to schedule your 20-25 treatments. You can expect each treatment appointment to be about 15 minutes. We will accommodate your schedule as the best we can based on current availability.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS?
Possible side effects of superficial radiation therapy include hair loss, redness, itching, and dryness. These side effects only occur in the treatment area. Our Radiation therapist will recommend ways to alleviate your symptoms.
DOES MY INSURANCE COVER IG-SRT?
Prior to the start of your IG-SRT treatments, we will contact your health insurance to obtain prior authorization. In doing this we will be able to determine the level of coverage and if there will be any out-of-pocket cost to you.
