Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treated with Electronic Brachytherapy: Results at One Year

Abstract

PurposeWe report clinical outcomes at one year or more following high-dose-rate (HDR) electronic brachytherapy (EBT) using surface applicators for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC).Materials and MethodsFrom July 2009 to April 2012, 122 patients with 171 NMSC lesions were treated with EBT to a dose of 40.0 Gy in 8 fractions, delivered twice weekly. At followup, patients were assessed for acute and late toxicities, cosmesis and local control.ResultsTreatment of 171 lesions was completed in 122 patients with a mean age 73 years. There have been no recurrences to date with a mean followup of 10 months (range 1-28 months). One year or longer followup data was available for 46 lesions in 42 patients. Hypopigmentation (all grade1) was present in 5 (10.9%) of 46 lesions at one year. Other late effects at one year included dry desquamation, alopecia and rash dermatitis which occurred in 1 (2.2%), 1 (2.2%), and 3 (6.5%) of 46 lesions, respectively. No grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed at any time point. Cosmesis was evaluated at one year for 42 of 46 lesions and was excellent for 39 (92.9%) and good for 3 (7.1%) of the 42 evaluable lesions.ConclusionsTreatment of NMSC with HDR EBT using surface applicators was effective with no recurrences, good to excellent cosmesis and acceptable toxicities at one year or more post-treatment. HDR EBT provides a convenient non-surgical treatment option for NMSC patients. PurposeWe report clinical outcomes at one year or more following high-dose-rate (HDR) electronic brachytherapy (EBT) using surface applicators for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We report clinical outcomes at one year or more following high-dose-rate (HDR) electronic brachytherapy (EBT) using surface applicators for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Materials and MethodsFrom July 2009 to April 2012, 122 patients with 171 NMSC lesions were treated with EBT to a dose of 40.0 Gy in 8 fractions, delivered twice weekly. At followup, patients were assessed for acute and late toxicities, cosmesis and local control. From July 2009 to April 2012, 122 patients with 171 NMSC lesions were treated with EBT to a dose of 40.0 Gy in 8 fractions, delivered twice weekly. At followup, patients were assessed for acute and late toxicities, cosmesis and local control. ResultsTreatment of 171 lesions was completed in 122 patients with a mean age 73 years. There have been no recurrences to date with a mean followup of 10 months (range 1-28 months). One year or longer followup data was available for 46 lesions in 42 patients. Hypopigmentation (all grade1) was present in 5 (10.9%) of 46 lesions at one year. Other late effects at one year included dry desquamation, alopecia and rash dermatitis which occurred in 1 (2.2%), 1 (2.2%), and 3 (6.5%) of 46 lesions, respectively. No grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed at any time point. Cosmesis was evaluated at one year for 42 of 46 lesions and was excellent for 39 (92.9%) and good for 3 (7.1%) of the 42 evaluable lesions. Treatment of 171 lesions was completed in 122 patients with a mean age 73 years. There have been no recurrences to date with a mean followup of 10 months (range 1-28 months). One year or longer followup data was available for 46 lesions in 42 patients. Hypopigmentation (all grade1) was present in 5 (10.9%) of 46 lesions at one year. Other late effects at one year included dry desquamation, alopecia and rash dermatitis which occurred in 1 (2.2%), 1 (2.2%), and 3 (6.5%) of 46 lesions, respectively. No grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed at any time point. Cosmesis was evaluated at one year for 42 of 46 lesions and was excellent for 39 (92.9%) and good for 3 (7.1%) of the 42 evaluable lesions. ConclusionsTreatment of NMSC with HDR EBT using surface applicators was effective with no recurrences, good to excellent cosmesis and acceptable toxicities at one year or more post-treatment. HDR EBT provides a convenient non-surgical treatment option for NMSC patients. Treatment of NMSC with HDR EBT using surface applicators was effective with no recurrences, good to excellent cosmesis and acceptable toxicities at one year or more post-treatment. HDR EBT provides a convenient non-surgical treatment option for NMSC patients.