Nonmelanoma skin cancer treated with electronic brachytherapy: results at 1 year

Abstract

Purpose: We report clinical outcomes at 1 year or more after high-dose-rate (HDR) electronic brachytherapy (EBT) using surface applicators for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC).

Methods and materials: From July 2009 to April 2012, 122 patients with 171 NMSC lesions were treated with EBT to a dose of 40Gy in eight fractions, delivered twice weekly. At followup, patients were assessed for acute and late toxicities, cosmesis, and local control.

Results: 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). Followup data at 1 year or more were available for 46 lesions in 42 patients. Hypopigmentation (all Grade 1) was present in 5 (10.9%) of 46 lesions at 1 year. Other late effects at 1 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 1 year for 42 of 46 lesions and was excellent for 39 (92.9%) and good for 3 (7.1%) of the 42 evaluable lesions.

Conclusions: Treatment of NMSC with HDR EBT using surface applicators was effective with no recurrences, good to excellent cosmesis, and acceptable toxicities at 1 year or more after treatment. HDR EBT provides a convenient nonsurgical treatment option for NMSC patients.