WHY LOW ENERGY RADIOTHERAPY?


Over 50% of skin cancers occur in those over 60. This population also has a high incidence of risk for surgical procedures due to various disorders like diabetes and cardiac diseases that can slow the healing process.

The traditional treatment path for non-melanoma skin cancer has been Mohs surgery. This surgery involves a series of excisions of cancerous tissue and surrounding healthy tissue until the cancer can no longer be detected. This procedure can lead to substantial cosmetic surgery requirements and a drawn-out healing process which can result in infection.

Sensus Healthcare recognized a need for a different solution for non-melanoma skin cancer treatment for those who have a high surgery risk. Because 80 percent of skin cancers occur in the head and neck regions, where surgery would require great tissue loss and significant cosmetic repair after surgery, Sensus looked to a 50-year proven technique, known as low energy radiotherapy which goes no deeper than the thickness of the skin to effectively treat non-melanoma skin cancer.

Compared to the legacy orthovoltage systems that were used in the dermatology and radiation oncology practices, Sensus offers the SRT-100™ as a modern solution, which is a safe, effective, and reliable technology. The SRT-100™ meets today’s clinical and market needs by employing state-of-the-art technology for efficient and effective treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers.


SRT-100


The SRT-100™ helps bring safe, painless and effective non-melanoma skin cancer treatment to patients, right in our office. SRT is a low energy radiotherapy that goes no deeper than the thickness of the skin. It is a proven non-invasive procedure that has been used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer for over 50 years and is highly recognized. Because the superficial x-rays concentrate radiation dose on the skin surface, the treatment has several advantages over surgical procedures. 


ADVANTAGES



  • Virtually painless


  • Very short procedure time


  • Heightened safety


  • No anesthesia required


  • Minimal to no scarring


  • Virtually no post-surgical infections


  • Lesser chance for recurrence


  • Faster healing process


  • Virtually no need for reconstruction after procedure


WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP PREVENT SKIN CANCER?



  • Avoid unprotected exposure when the sun is at its strongest, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


  • Check the UV Index for your area before planning a day outside. The higher the index, the greater the exposure.


  • Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Your eyes need protection too.


  • Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you’re going to be in the water or sweating, make sure to use sunscreen with a water-proof component and to reapply regularly.


  • Stay in the shade as much as possible.


  • Conduct regular skin examinations and consult your dermatologist or physician if you have changes in your skin or the development of anything new.


CANCEROUS LESIONS OFTEN HAVE:


ASYMMETRY

1/2 of the lesion does not match the other 1/2 in shape

BORDER

Irregular, blurred or ragged border

COLOR

Non-uniform pigmentation or coloring

DIAMETER

A diameter of 6mm or more or a progressive increase in diameter


WHAT IS THE UV INDEX?


Every day the UV Index is calculated for the next day for every zip code in the U.S. This index predicts the intensity of UV radiation at noon and is reported on a scale of 1 to 11+. On this scale, 1 signifies the lowest risk of overexposure and 11+ indicates the highest risk of overexposure.


FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE UV INDEX


SEASON

The UV Index is highest in spring and summer. It goes down in the fall and is the lowest in the winter.

LATITUDE

UV radiation is strongest at the equator and goes down as you move towards the north or south poles.

ALTITUDE

Because air at higher altitudes is thinner, UV radiation goes up as you “go up” in altitude.

TIME OF DAY

The intensity of UV radiation is highest at the time of “solar noon,” usually somewhere between noon and 1 p.m.

OZONE

Ozone absorbs UV radiation making it less intense. Ozone levels can fluctuate from day to day.

CLOUD COVER

Thick, heavy cloud cover can block most UV radiation, however, thin clouds can let most of the UV rays through. Fluffy, fair-weather clouds are deceiving because they reflect the rays and can increase the amount of radiation reaching Earth.

LAND COVER

Structures like trees and buildings lessen the amount of UV radiation that hits your skin.

EARTH SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS

Whatever is coating the surface of the Earth around you can reflect or scatter UV radiation. Snow reflects up to 80%, while sand reflects 15% and water reflects 10%.


SEASON


The UV Index is highest in spring and summer. It goes down in the fall and is the lowest in the winter.


LATITUDE


UV radiation is strongest at the equator and goes down as you move towards the north or south poles.


ALTITUDE


Because air at higher altitudes is thinner, UV radiation goes up as you “go up” in altitude.


TIME OF DAY


The intensity of UV radiation is highest at the time of “solar noon,” usually somewhere between noon and 1 p.m.


OZONE


Ozone absorbs UV radiation making it less intense. Ozone levels can fluctuate from day to day.


CLOUD COVER


Thick, heavy cloud cover can block most UV radiation, however, thin clouds can let most of the UV rays through. Fluffy, fair-weather clouds are deceiving because they reflect the rays and can increase the amount of radiation reaching Earth.


LAND COVER


Structures like trees and buildings lessen the amount of UV radiation that hits your skin.


EARTH SURFACE CHARACTERISTICS


Whatever is coating the surface of the Earth around you can reflect or scatter UV radiation. Snow reflects up to 80%, while sand reflects 15% and water reflects 10%.


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