Dermatological high-dose-rate brachytherapy for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are among the most common cancers in humans. Various therapies are currently being used to treat these tumours including surgery, topical treatments and radiotherapy. We describe a new treatment for BCC and SCC. This consists of superficial radiotherapy, using synthetic resin containing a radioactive beta-emitting isotope. The resin is applied to the lesion to perform a selective beta-irradiation brachytherapy treatment.


METHODS
In total, 53 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of BCC and of SCC were enrolled for the treatment.


RESULTS
In all treated cases, an apparent clinical remission occurred in approximately 3 months, and complete healing was obtained in 100% of the treated patients; in 82% of the cases, this occurred after a single application. No disfiguring scars or any side-effects were seen. After a follow-up of 20-72 months (mean 51 months), no clinical relapses were observed in the treated patients. Histological examination confirmed complete tumour regression.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that brachytherapy is an effective treatment for BCC and SCC.
Sedda
A F
AF
Physical Technologies and New Materials FIM, Italian Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Environment ENEA, Casaccia, Rome, Italy. antioco.sedda@casaccia.enea.it
Rossi
G
G
Cipriani
C
C
Carrozzo
A M
AM
Donati
P
P
D001610:Beta Particles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005145:Face; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009824:Ointments; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D012211:Rhenium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D009824:Ointments; D012211:Rhenium