"Short-Term Radiation Is Safe For Treating Basal And Squamous Cell Skin Cancers, Study Says" - Macaela Mackenzie
For shady moles, short-term high-powered doses of radiation might be a more effective form of skin cancer treatment than scientists previously thought, according to a new study published in the journal Radiotherapy & Oncology. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas aren't uncommon, as 5.4 million cases are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society. While radiation zaps the cancerous cells, it also affects the healthy skin cells, said Joshua Zeichner, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital. "After treatment, many people sustain some degree of skin damage, known as radiation dermatitis," he said. "It has traditionally been thought that the higher the amount of energy per treatment, the fewer the number of treatments you need, but the higher the risk of developing general risk skin damage to that area."
- Joshua Zeichner, MD, Assistant Professor, Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology, The Mount Sinai Hospital