Onkológia 5/2023

Non melanoma skin cancer brachytherapy

Non melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) represents are the most common cancer worldwide. While surgical treatment is commonly utilized, various radiation therapy techniques are available, including external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT). Irradiation with electron beams (EBRT) is suitable only for well accessible and plane surfaces, BT on the other hand can be advantageous modality in tumours located within complex and curved surfaces. BT can be delivered as a superficial (tumours not thicker than 5mm) or as an interstitial application (tumours thicker than 5mm from surface). Randomized controlled studies, systemic reviews and meta-analysis are lacking in literature, and there is a variety of prescription techniques successfully used across the radiotherapy centres. Brachytherapy in treatment of NMSC represents an effective and well-established technique with low rate of late toxicity and acceptable cosmetic results.

Keywords: non melanoma skin cancer brachytherapy, superficial skin brachytherapy, 3D planning of skin brachytherapy