Dermatology and Skin Care Associates
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Gentlecure

Skin Cancer Can Be Cured Without Surgery

For years, Mohs surgery was the standard treatment for people with skin cancer. Now, people with basal or squamous cell skin cancers  have Image-Guided SRT—the treatment option that cures skin cancer without surgery.

What does IG-SRT mean?

IG-SRT (Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy or Image-Guided SRT) is a type of radiation used just for skin cancer. Ultrasound imaging guides the treatment to kill skin cancer cells using low levels of X-ray energy.

What skin conditions can Image-Guided SRT be used for?

Image-Guided SRT can be used on nonmelanoma skin cancers (i.e., various types of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in-situ) and Keloid conditions.

How long does treatment with Image-Guided SRT take?

During each visit, treatment can be completed in as little as 10 minutes. Typically the treatment requires between 18 to 25 visit/treatments.

Basal cell carcinoma on the nose

Basal cell carcinoma on the nose

A basal cell carcinoma may be pigmented on skin of color.

A basal cell carcinoma may be pigmented on skin of color, near the eye

A basal cell carcinoma may be pigmented on skin of color.

A small pink growth with a slightly raised, rolled edge and a crusted indentation in the center.

Basal cell carcinoma presenting as an open sore on the ear.

Image-Guided SRT Compared to Mohs Surgery

Image-Guided SRT

  • Low amounts of X-ray energy are used to kill the cancer cells, which lets healthy skin grow back.

  • Uses SRT technology with ultrasound images to find, measure, and treat the skin cancer cells and see it shrink over time to be sure the cancer is cured.

  • Anesthesia is not needed.

  • Eighteen to 25 short treatment sessions (about 10 minutes each) over the course of several weeks.
  • There is no bleeding or wounds, so you do not need to skip normal daily activities.
  • There is no scarring.
  • More than 1 skin cancer can be treated at a time.
  • Image-Guided SRT cures over 99% of basal and squamous cell skin cancers.

Mohs Surgery

  • The skin cancer is cut out of the skin, making a wound and leaving a scar.

  • The size and depth of the skin cancer is only known after the cutting starts. 
  • Local anesthesia is used to dull the pain prior to cutting.
  • More than 1 surgery during the day may be needed to remove all the skin cancer. 
  • The surgery leaves wounds, which will need to be cared for by changing bandages, not showering, and not doing normal activities.
  • Scarring may need to be fixed with reconstructive surgery. 
  • Only 1 skin cancer can be treated at a time.
  • Mohs surgery works 96% to 98% of the time. 

Ready to discuss your options for skin cancer?