[ad_1]
RESTON, go., June 13, 2019 / PRNewswire / – Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It is estimated that 2 to 3 million people United States be diagnosed each year with non-melanoma skin cancer.1 The mortality rate is low: about 2,000 people die each year from non-melanoma, basal cell skin and squamous cell skin cancer. However, the incidence of the diagnosis continues to increase and the skin cancer can significantly affect the quality of life of a person if it is not treated properly.
Skin cancer other than melanoma is often curable when it is detected early and treated properly. Although there is no proven way to completely prevent skin cancer without melanoma, you may be able to reduce your risk. Consider these prevention techniques: 2
- Know the signs and symptoms. The most common signs of skin cancer are changes in the normal appearance of your skin, such as altering an existing mole, new growth, or a sore that does not heal.
- Limit or avoid direct sun exposure between 10h and 16h as soon as possible.
- In the sun, always wear sun protection clothing, including a hat that protects your face, neck and ears.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 30 or higher. Re-apply sunscreen to areas exposed to the sun every 2 hours or immediately after sweating or having been in the water.
- Avoid sunbathing and do not use indoor solar lights or tanning beds.
- Regularly check your skin, including annual reviews by a health professional and self-examinations between visits to your health care provider.
- Talk to your doctor about prevention and diagnosis if you have a higher risk of skin cancer because of previous personal or family diagnoses, artificial tanning or prolonged exposure to the sun, or if you have skin. clear.
A diagnosis of skin cancer can be difficult and understanding the treatment options available can be overwhelming and sometimes more confusing than the diagnosis itself. By confusing, there are many skin cancer treatment options, some of which are more effective than others. Treatment options may include surgery, cryosurgery, electrocautery, external radiation, electronic brachytherapy, topical chemotherapy, immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy.3 With so many options, many people DO NOT be offered procedures with minimal side effects and a high quality of life, after the doctors propose procedures that they do themselves, rather than what may be the most reasonable for the specific disease of the patient.
If you have been diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer, you should first ask your doctor about ALL of your treatment options so that you can make an informed decision about treatment.
Non-melanoma skin cancers most commonly occur in areas exposed to the sun and in sensitive areas, such as the face, and surgical procedures at these sites (nose, ears, eyelids, lips) may require multiple surgical attempts, new excision or complex plastic reconstruction techniques. under anesthesia to achieve positive results and the elimination of the disease.4 In addition, although surgery has always been the standard of treatment for the treatment of skin cancers other than melanoma in United StatesSome patients may not be candidates for surgery because of medical comorbidities, expected functional outcome, or personal preference.
An alternative to surgery that patients should consider for the treatment of their skin cancer is a form of highly conformist and effective radiotherapy with minimal side effects that is often not offered to patients by their treating physician. HDR brachytherapy of the skin Used for decades to treat skin cancers other than melanoma, it is often the treatment of choice for skin cancer that can not be surgically removed without a cosmetic deficiency or for large lesions requiring surgery and surgery. large-scale reconstruction. Despite this, patients are often not offered treatment options at the time of diagnosis. Several studies have reported excellent local control rates in excess of 90% and favorable esthetic results with minimal long-term side effects when HDR brachytherapy is used to treat skin cancer without melanoma.5, 6, 7,8
HDR brachytherapy of the skin allows administering a personalized radiation dose to the patient's cancer while sparing the adjacent, deeper, and healthier tissues. The treatment is pain free, non-invasive and does not require the use of needles, cups or sutures. HDR brachytherapy of the skin has a distinct advantage for elderly patients, patients with comorbidities for whom wound healing is a concern and patients who care about cosmeticspreservation, restoration or improvement of physical appearance).
Unfortunately, many people diagnosed with skin cancer have never presented with HDR brachytherapy as a treatment option and / or, unfortunately, with misinformation.
Peter Orio, DO, President of the American Brachytherapy Society and Vice President of Network Operations, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, commented: "Those who have recently been diagnosed with skin cancer should be informed about their treatment options and understand the benefits of brachytherapy as a component of their care. As physicians, we have an obligation to provide our patients with the knowledge and power to make informed treatment decisions. Patients should not suffer the consequences of not understanding all of their treatment options. Only a radiation oncologist specializing in brachytherapy administration should be able to tell a patient if he is a candidate for HDR brachytherapy of the skinand patients should feel empowered to seek the advice of an experienced curiotherapist to decide which care they wish to receive.. I really believe that in medicine, knowledge is power."
Knowledge is power. For more information about HDR brachytherapy of the skin, please visit https://www.americanbrachytherapy.org/skin-brachy/
About the American Brachytherapy Society
Founded in 1978, the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide information and research on the use of brachytherapy in malignant and benign conditions. The organization has about 1,500 physicians, medical physicists and other health professionals interested in brachytherapy.
The mission of ABS is to benefit patients by providing information directly to the consumer, promoting the highest standards of brachytherapy practice, and badisting health professionals by encouraging ongoing and improved training for their patients. radiation oncologists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of cancer. In addition, ABS seeks to promote clinical and laboratory research at the borders of specialty knowledge and to study the socio-economic aspects of brachytherapy practice.
Warning: Not all patients are eligible for all treatments. The choice of a skin cancer treatment is a very personal decision and all treatment options available to them should be presented to patients based on their individual diagnosis and data badociated with a specific treatment.
Contact: Melissa Pomerene, [email protected]
1 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/skin-cancer-non-melanoma/statistics. Accessed, June 10, 2019.
2 https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/skin-cancer-non-melanoma/risk-factors-and-prevention. Accessed, June 10, 2019.
3 Likhacheva al. Superficial brachytherapy of the skin: study of current modes of practice. Brachytherapy. 2017 16 (1): 223-222.
4 Skowronek. Brachytherapy in the treatment of skin cancer: an overview. Poste Derm Alergol 2015; XXXII (5): 362-367
5Alam et al. The use of brachytherapy in the treatment of skin cancer without melanoma: a review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011 Aug; 65 (2): 377-388.
6 Maronas et al. Treatment of cutaneous facial carcinoma with high dose rate contact brachytherapy with custom molds. Brachytherapy. 2011 May-June; 10 (3): 221-227.
7 Sedda et al. Dermatologic brachytherapy with high dose rate for the treatment of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Clin Exp Dermatol. Nov 2008; 33 (6): 745-749.
8 Guix et al. Treatment of cutaneous face carcinomas by high dose rate brachytherapy and custom-made surface molds. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2000, 47 (1): 95-102.
SOURCE American Brachytherapy Society
Related Links
http://www.americanbrachytherapy.org
Source link
