WE ARE OPEN DURING COVID - 19 TO TREAT PATIENTS
Innovative Cancer Institute will remain open and provide uninterrupted Skin Cancer Radiation Therapy Treatment to patients not displaying COVID-19 symptoms.
Our team will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the oncologic related questions through Telemedicine.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States with almost Two million new cases diagnosed every year but Radiation Therapy (XRT) is a great option for treatment with results just as good surgery with better cosmetic results, and no need for anesthesia
FACTS ABOUT SKIN CANCER
Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV rays) mainly from the sun and from artificial sources such as in tanning beds. We see the most cases In Florida due the long strong sunlight hours and the older retired population. Heightened risk factors include: fair skin complexion, blond hair, blue eyes, work outdoors, chronic skin ulcers and immune depression such as in HIV infection or in patients with organ transplants on anti-rejection treatment.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF SKIN CANCER NON-MELANOMAS (SCNM)
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): This is the most common form of skin cancer (80 %). These cancers begin in the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). Radiation therapy is very effective for curing basal cell cancers in more than 90 % of patients.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): This is the second most common type of skin cancer (almost 20 %). These cancers also begin in the epidermis but are more aggressive than BCC. Radiation therapy can be used to treat SCC that start on the skin and may involve lymph nodes.
The third type is called Melanoma, and it is a more aggressive type of skin cancer and most deadly. However, it has an excellent prognosis when it detected early. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the skin, but is most often found on legs of women or backs of men, and typically occurs in moles. They generally have a black or brown lesion and the border, color and or surface is not uniform
Treatment Options Treating Skin Cancer
The treatment you receive depends on several factors, including the type of cancer, its location and extent, as well as your overall health, age and your personal choice. Treatments are often combined and can include the following:
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Radiation therapy: The cancer cells are destroyed by radiation.
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Surgery: The cancer cells are cut out and removed.
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Moh’s surgery: A microscopic controlled surgery, allows surgeons to remove tiny layers of cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue.
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Cryosurgery: The cancer is frozen.
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Laser surgery: Cancer cells are destroyed by laser beams.
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Electrodessication: The cancer is dried with an electric current and removed.
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Chemotherapy: Topical
Radiation therapy approach
Radiation Therapy (XRT) is a commonly used modality for treatment of skin cancer with results comparable to surgery with excellent cosmesis but without need for anesthesia. XRT is the treatment of choice in certain areas where surgical resection has higher risks of creating cosmetic deformities. Also, it can be used when other treatment modalities have failed and the tumors recur.
There are many different XRT techniques available but the preferred ones today (both available at ICI) are:
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EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY
External beam radiation therapy, (EBRT) which is highly effective, is given using a large machine called linear accelerator (LINAC) commonly delivering electrons. Usually the treatments are given in daily sessions, 5 days a week for 5 to 6 weeks. The patients can normally work while on treatment.
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BRACHYTHERAPY
Brachytherapy (from Brachy: near, meaning short distance treatment) with High Dose Rate (HDR) is a very effective treatment option for skin cancer applied directly on the skin using custom made applicators for each individual patient. It is ideal for treating lesions in sensitive anatomic areas with irregular surface such as ears, nasolabial folds ,eyelids ,etc. High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy treatment is painless and the course is delivered in shorter time compared to EBRT. At ICI, treatments commonly last less than 5 weeks and are generally delivered in 2 or 3 days per week.
SIDE EFFECTS
All treatments for skin cancer have minimal side effects. The side effects of treatment depend on the part of your skin treated, and the dose of radiation given and whether you also receive other treatments. Patients may experience redness like from sun exposure and sometimes moistness of the skin, pigmentation and/or discoloration. After treatment ends, the skin will form a protective scab and the new, healthy skin will develop underneath it. This healing may take some weeks and occasionally months.
However, with Radiation Treatments, patients can normally work or maintain their daily routines while on radiation treatment.
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What is the success rate of radiation therapy for breast cancer?Success rate is as high 97-98 % in early cancer stages for the majority of patients
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Is breast cancer treatment possible without breast removal?Yes and Radiation Therapy is the option that allows for what we call breast conservation, or conservative treatment. If you qualify for the treatment, you can be treated with a lumpectomy, followed by conservative radiation treatment, and you can keep your breast/s. It also is just as successful as a mastectomy, while being far less painful and risky.
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Does radiation on left breast affect the heart?No. As mentioned above, using modern technology we avoid affecting any surrounding organs.
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What should you avoid during radiation?It’s best to avoid skin irritants, use mild soaps and creams that are recommended by the Doctor.
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How long is a radiation treatment for breast cancer?It depends and timing ranges based on a variety of reasons. For the most part cases are short, as brief as 5 days to 2 weeks. However in some special cases where lymph nodes need treatment and/or the tumor is more advanced it can take up to 25-30 days of treatment.
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Does radiation for breast cancer cause heart problems?No. As mentioned above, we leverage various techniques that allow us to completely shield and protect any vital organs.
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What are the side effects of radiation therapy for breast cancer?Radiation effects occur only in the treated area. In early cancer the only effects are minor redness or mild pigmentation on the skin of the treated area. If the tumor is advanced and if the dose of RT to skin needs to be higher than normal there may be a temporary reaction on the skin which is easily treated with topical creams.
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Is radiotherapy painful for breast cancer?Radiation therapy is painless. The only thing close to pain you can expect is some slight discomfort from lying in the required position, but that is very brief.
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Can radiation for breast cancer damage your lungs?No. Using modern technology we avoid damaging any surrounding organs. We have imaging that follows the respiration, and then we employ either controlled breathing techniques or treat patients using prone position in order to protect vital organs.
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What are the long term effects of radiation for breast cancer?For the most part long term effects of radiation are very limited, at most some will get some skin discoloration or light tanning of skin where treatment was. In very limited cases, some patients can develop fibrosis or changes in the skin telangiectasia (blood vessels visible in the skin) or some patients may get lymphedema of the arm, but those are typically in more advanced cases that require higher doses of Radiation Therapy to the axilla.
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Do you lose your hair with radiation therapy for breast cancer?No, you typically lose hair during chemotherapy. You do not lose any hair for Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer, the worst side effect that you can expect is some mild skin redness.
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What is a PSA?The Prostatic-Specific Antigen or PSA test, measures a substance in the bloodstream which is created only by the prostate gland. Abnormally high PSA levels may signal the presence of cancer. However, PSA levels are also higher in men with large prostate glands from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) a very common benign condition among men older than 50 years of age. In order to differentiate BPH from prostate cancer in patients with elevated blood PSA levels, doctors also use a test called PSA density, which relates PSA level to the size of the gland. A digital rectal exam, in which the doctor inserts a gloved lubricated finger into the rectum, is used to detect unusual bumps or hard areas on the prostate that might be cancer. If these tests raise concern, the next step is a prostate biopsy.
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How curable is prostate cancer?In general, the earlier the cancer is caught, the more likely it is for the patient to be cured. Because approximately 90% of all prostate cancers in the US are detected in the local stages, the cure rate is very high for patients with prostate cancer who are treated appropriately using radiation therapy or surgery.
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What is a Gleason Score ?The Gleason Score is an exam based on the pathologic examination of prostatic tissue obtained either from study of the prostate removed at surgery or more commonly from study of small core of tissue obtained from a needle biopsy of the prostate in patient suspected of having prostate cancer. This biopsy is usually done in patients who have a palpable nodule on rectal exam or a high PSA level. Multiple samples of prostatic tissue are obtained using a core needle biopsy under local anesthesia via a Trans-Rectal approach with Ultrasound (US) guidance (TRUS). Some of the results from this prostate biopsy are usually given in the form of a Gleason score. On the simplest level, this scoring system assigns a number from 2 to 10 to describe how abnormal the cells appear under a microscope. A score of 2 to 5 means the cells still look very much like normal cells and pose little danger of being malignant. A score of 6 is considered low risk prostate cancer, some of these patients may be observed depending on several factors including age, lifestyle and doctor and patients references. A score of 7 indicates intermediate risk prostate cancer and in general indicates need for treatment although the tumor still likely to be confined within the prostate. A score of 8 to 10 indicates that the tumor is very likely to be aggressive and may be already outside of the gland. These patients in general need to start treatment without delay. The Gleason score is one of the best tests available to gauge the severity of the prostate cancer and guide its management however, it is only one piece of information that you and your doctor will use. Biopsy reports also typically include the number of biopsy core samples that contain cancer, the percentage of cancer in each of the cores, and whether the cancer occurs on one side or both sides of the prostate. This information is key to guide treatment.
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If there are no symptoms, how is prostate cancer detected?"Screening for prostate cancer can be performed in a physician's office using two tests: the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
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What is the best treatment for prostate cancer?You and your doctor will decide what is the best option for you. This will be dependent upon many factors including your type of tumor and its stage, your medical condition, and your wish to maintain sexual potency and urinary continence.
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How do you protect yourself from Skin Cancer?The biggest thing you can do is limit your exposure to the sun, but here are some tips that can help: Use sunscreen regularly, and it should be the kind that can protect against UVB light and UVA rays and an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 Reapply often when outside and especially after swimming or sweating. Wear sunglasses Use SPF lip balm Wear sun-protective clothing Avoid tanning beds as they will increase the risk of skin cancer See your dermatologist every year for a skin exam
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Are there side effects to treating skin cancer with Radiation?Rarely, but some redness or a rash may appear on the skin which usually resolves itself within a week.
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Will my cancer come back? Or will I get more skin cancers?People who have already had one skin cancer have a higher risk of developing additional skin cancers in the future, so anyone who has been diagnosed with one basal cell carcinoma should be especially watchful for signs of recurrence. Most recurrences happen within three to five years of a patient's original diagnosis.
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Can I get skin cancer anywhere on my skin?Most skin cancer happens on skin that is exposed to the sun most often such as your head, neck, chest, and arms. However, it is possible to get skin cancer on parts of your body that rarely or ever see sun such as genitals, but that is much more rare.
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How can I know if I am more likely to get Brain Cancer?In most cases of brain tumors, the cause is not clear. However there are two factors that can increase the risk of cancer, prior exposure to radiation is one, and the other is family history of Brain Tumors.
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What are the Symptoms of Brain Cancer?Signs and symptoms of a brain tumor vary widely and can depend on the tumor's size, locale, and how fast it grows. Some signs or symptoms might include: Onset or new pattern of headaches Headaches that become more frequent and more severe over time Unexplained vomiting or nausea Vision problems Gradual loss of sensation in limbs Difficulty with balance and speech Confusion in everyday matters Personality/behavior changes Seizures, especially in you don’t have a prior history of seizures Problems hearing
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What is difference between benign brain tumors and malignant brain tumors:Benign brain tumors are non-cancerous, but that doesn’t mean they should not be considered for treatment. Malignant tumors are cancerous and typically are more aggressive and spread faster than others and definitely require treatment.
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How is it Diagnosed?Diagnosis starts by taking family history and reviewing symptoms, followed by a physical and neurological exam. The doctor may then recommend a CT scan or MRI, and or an MRA or Angiogram. The doctor may also recommend a biopsy in some cases.
The Innovative Cancer Institute is a proud member of the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Find out more about skin cancer here: www.skincancer.org