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Skin Cancer

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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells, most often developing on skin exposed to the sun. It occurs when damage to skin cells—commonly from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning beds—causes the cells to grow uncontrollably.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), millions of people are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer each year. The three main types are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, with melanoma being the most serious but less common.

In many cases, skin cancer can be detected early because it appears on the surface of the skin. When found and treated early, most types of skin cancer are highly curable. However, some forms—particularly melanoma—can grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Researchers have found several factors that may increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer, including:

Sun exposure: prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the primary cause of most skin cancers.
Fair skin: people with lighter skin, freckles, light hair, or light eyes have a higher risk because they have less melanin to protect against UV radiation.
Family history: individuals with a family history of skin cancer may have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Age: while skin cancer can occur at any age, the risk generally increases with age due to cumulative sun exposure over time.

Symptoms of Skin Cancer Include:

  • A new growth or sore on the skin that does not heal
  • A mole that changes in size, shape, or color
  • A spot or bump that grows quickly or looks unusual compared to other moles
  • A sore that bleeds, crusts, or scabs repeatedly
  • A rough, scaly, or red patch on the skin
  • A dark or irregularly shaped spot on the skin
  • Itching, tenderness, or pain in a mole or skin lesion

Because these symptoms can sometimes resemble other harmless skin conditions, it is important to have any suspicious or changing skin spots examined by a healthcare professional. Regular skin checks and early detection play an important role in identifying skin cancer early and determining the most effective treatment.

How Do We Treat Skin Cancer?

At Mojave Radiation Oncology Center, we utilize radiation therapy to deliver fast, high-quality treatment with comfort and convenience. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to precisely target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiation therapy can be an effective treatment option for certain types of skin cancer, particularly when surgery is not the best option due to the tumor’s location, size, or a patient’s medical condition. It may also be used after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells or to help prevent the cancer from returning.

Your treatment is custom-tailored to your specific diagnosis, including the type of skin cancer, tumor size, location, and overall health. Your radiation oncologist (a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with radiation) will review all available treatment options and recommend a personalized plan based on national cancer treatment guidelines.

Advanced radiation techniques such as 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT), Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) allow for highly precise treatment that focuses radiation directly on the tumor while protecting nearby healthy skin and tissue.

Radiation is typically delivered from outside the body using a machine called a linear accelerator, a method known as external beam radiation therapy. Treatment is painless and usually performed over a series of short outpatient sessions.

Benefits Of Radiation Therapy

3-Dimensional Conformal
Radiation Therapy
(3D CRT)

Uses 3-dimensional images of the tumor to develop a radiation treatment plan designed specifically for each patient.

Image-Guided
Radiation Therapy
(IGRT)

Improves targeting by using high-resolution imaging to track tumor movement before each treatment.

Intensity-Modulated
Radiation Therapy
(IMRT)

A form of 3D CRT, IMRT adjusts the intensity of the radiation beam to deliver a sculpted dose of radiation to the tumor while avoiding adjacent, healthy tissue.

Highly Personalized & Precise

We have an experienced and compassionate team of experts including doctors, physicist, dosimetrist and radiation therapists who work together to carefully create and deliver a treatment plan designed to ensure the best possible outcome. Our team utilizes advanced 3D CRT (3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy) and IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy).

3-D Conformal Radiation Therapy uses CT, MRI and PET scans to create three-dimensional images of the tumor. Your oncologist and medical physicist then uses these images to develop your personalized radiation treatment plan.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy uses these advanced computer images to adjust the intensity (dose), direction and shape of radiation beams delivered to the tumor. This precision targets the tumor and spares adjacent healthy tissue.

For skin cancer, radiation therapy is carefully planned to target the cancerous area while protecting the surrounding healthy skin and nearby tissues. Advanced imaging and treatment techniques allow our team to deliver radiation with precision, helping achieve effective cancer control while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and reducing potential side effects.

Your Unique & Personal Experience

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is emotional, scary, overwhelming and can make you feel like you’ve lost control. Your cancer and the way you respond to treatments are individual and personal. Most people know about cancer through the experience of someone else, often a family member or friend. There are many types of cancer and other people’s experiences will not be the same as yours. We encourage you to express your emotions, ask questions and allow us to teach you how to be an advocate for yourself.

Several cancers today have excellent outcomes and can be cured with new technologies and advancements. In other cases, treatments may be given which either extend or maintain your quality of life. The first step to regaining control and alleviating much of your anxiety is to educate yourself about your cancer. Few cancers require emergency treatment so you have time to learn about your diagnosis and treatment options. We encourage you to ask questions and seek additional medical information.

There are many websites with information about cancer. In addition to our site, we recommend using reliable sources, including The American Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute.

Skin cancer treatment is highly individualized, taking into account factors such as the type of skin cancer, tumor size and location, stage of the disease, overall health, and personal preferences. Your care team will guide you through each step of treatment, focusing not only on effectively treating the cancer but also on preserving healthy tissue and maintaining your quality of life.

Why Choose Mojave Radiation Oncology Center?

Our team has experience treating skin cancer using advanced radiation therapy techniques and evidence-based guidelines. We work closely with each patient to develop a personalized treatment approach designed to effectively target the cancer while prioritizing safety, comfort, and long-term skin health.

We know you have a choice about where you get your cancer care. Here are the top reasons why we believe Mojave Radiation Oncology Center is the best choice:

  1. We use state-of-the-art therapies.
  2. Our doctors are specially trained and board certified.
  3. Our treatment plans follow national guidelines and are the same protocols as those used by the top academic cancer centers.
  4. Our medical, technical and support staff are experts at what they do.
  5. We work as one team that is closely coordinated, with one focus.
  6. We treat patients like they are our family.
  7. We keep close tabs on your physical, mental and emotional well-being because we care about quality of life.

What To Expect

Pre Treatment

Treatment Planning

You will have a CT scan, PET scan or MRI to create a personalized treatment plan. A specialized team, including your oncologist, will use 3D images and special computer software to establish the precise contours for each tumor and any regions of risk (sensitive organs or structures). Your physician will decide how much radiation the tumor should receive and the appropriate pattern, position and intensity of the radiation beam will be calculated.

For skin cancer, treatment planning includes detailed imaging and careful positioning to ensure accurate targeting of the cancerous area while limiting radiation exposure to the surrounding healthy skin and nearby tissues.

Treatment Schedule

Radiation treatments happen Monday through Friday for a number of weeks, usually for 5-8 weeks. Weekend breaks, on Saturday and Sunday, allow your normal cells to recover and assist your healing process.

Radiation therapy for skin cancer is typically delivered over multiple sessions, often Monday through Friday for several weeks. Your radiation oncologist will determine the appropriate schedule based on the type of skin cancer, its location, and your specific treatment goals.

Pre-Treatment Markings

Ink marks or small tattoo-like dots may be placed on your skin in the area of the tumor to ensure the radiation is precisely delivered to the tumor. The markings are visible on your skin, but only in the area of the tumor and are not permanent. They are designed to fade and will begin to disappear towards the end of your radiation treatments. Occasionally, the markings will have to be reapplied to your skin during treatment. It is very important that you do not scrub the markings, during your bathing/showering. Your radiation therapist will discuss with you how to care for your skin during your treatments, including protecting the markings. You may also need a custom-fitted molded device to help keep you in the same position before and during treatment.

Day of Treatment

Our radiation therapists will bring you from the waiting room to the treatment room with the linear accelerator (radiation machine). They will ensure you are comfortable and assist you in getting positioned on the treatment table.

Preparing Treatment Equipment

Our therapist will align the laser to the target on your skin, indicated by the “tattoo-like” markings. Alignment takes only a couple of minutes. The therapist will leave the room to deliver and monitor your treatment.

Treatment

During treatment, the machine will move around your body. You won’t feel anything. It’s much like having an x-ray. Sometimes the specific area of skin receiving treatment, can get tender and sunburned, your healthcare team will want to know if you are experiencing any burning or discomfort during your treatment. Your healthcare team will guide you with proper care of your skin.

Treatment Time

Typically the treatment takes about 10-15 minutes. Daily treatment sessions are brief, though setup and positioning may take additional time to ensure accuracy.

Potential Side Effects

The most common side effect is fatigue – it is very important to get plenty of rest and adequate nutrition. Generally, you will see your doctor weekly. We are always available if you need us.

Side effects from skin cancer radiation therapy vary and may develop gradually during or after treatment. Your care team will monitor your progress and provide guidance on managing possible skin-related symptoms such as redness, irritation, dryness, or fatigue if they occur.