Elsevier

Brachytherapy

Volume 15, Supplement 1, May–June 2016, Page S67
Brachytherapy

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treated with HDR-Brachytherapy: Acute Toxicity and Cosmesis Outcomes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brachy.2016.04.096Get rights and content

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Purpose

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are the most common malignancy in people with fair skin. The most prevalent histologies are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The incidence of NMSC is rising rapidly. BCC and SCC are locally aggresive lesions and can destroy extensive areas of soft tissue, cartilage and bone. They rarely metastasize and their prognosis depends on local control. Localized NMSC are most commonly treated with surgery. Due to their localization and

Materials and Methods

From December 2014 to December 2015, 47 patients with 50 NMSC lesions were treated with HDR-BT at our institution, 40 lesions (80%) by interstitial brachytherapy and 10 lesions (20%) by plesiotherapy. There were 31 BCCs (62%) and 19 SCCs (38%). Average total dose delivered was 38,39 Gy and median dose was 40,5 Gy in nine fractions delivered twice weekly. Median age of treated patients was 81 years (36-92 years). Data was collected prospectively. Acute toxicity was graded using the Common

Results

Average follow-up from completion of treatment was 5.7 months (1-12 months). The acute toxicity observed was dermatitis and mucositis, depending on the location of the lesion. Grade 0 acute toxicity was observed in 10% of treated lesions (n = 5), grade 1 in 68% (n = 34), grade 2 in 16% (n = 8) and grade 3 in 6% (n = 3). No acute toxicity greater than grade 3 was observed. All acute toxic events were resolved between the first and the second month after the treatment was finished. Cosmetic

Conclusions

HDR-BT offers good tumor control rates with acceptable cosmetic outcomes in patients with NMSC, without affecting functionality. HDR-BT appears to be more efficient when used as a primary treatment rather than an adjuvant therapy after surgery. HDR-BT seems to be a valid alternative for treatment of epitheliomas in special locations, above all in elderly patients with significant comorbidities that preclude surgery. Its ability to treat a wide area with minimal alteration of normal tissues

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