This study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference. These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Nonmelanoma skin cancer can be easily removed using a form of electronic brachytherapy in a procedure that allows the physician to remain at the bedside while the device is operating, researchers found.
Note that hypopigmenatation was the most common side effect observed, and occurred in 13% of patients 2 years after treatment.
BOSTON -- Researchers said here that nonmelanoma skin cancer can be easily removed using a form of electronic brachytherapy in a procedure that allows the physician to remain at the bedside while the device is operating.
With a mean follow-up of 11 months – but as long as 38 months after treatment -- no recurrences have been observed among 122 patients who have had 171 lesions eliminated by the Xoft Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy device (iCAD, Sunnyvale, Calif.), said Ajay Bhatnagar, MD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"Brachytherapy is an ideal modality for patients – especially elderly patients – with nonmelanoma skin cancer given the excellent results and convenient schedule," Bhatnagar, who is also co-director of Cancer Treatment Services in Casa Grande, Ariz., said in his oral presentation at the American Society for Radiation Oncology.
In the presentation, Bhatnagar illustrated how electronic brachytherapy is able to eliminate lesions in difficult areas such as on the eyelids, tip of the nose, and behind the ear with good cosmesis. He said that he has been seeing an area of hypopigmentation in about 13% of patients 2 years after treatment; and in 9% of patients after 1 year.
02/11/2012 : By Ed Susman / MedPage Today.
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