Image-Guided SRT FAQ
Is IG-SRT covered by my insurance?
IG-SRT is covered by most commercial insurances and Medicare. With most insurance plans, you may have to pay some out-of-pocket cost based on your specific coverage plan and deductibles. The amount can range from very little out-of-pocket expense to a few thousand dollars. Your doctor’s office can work with your insurance plan to find out the cost to you.
What to expect with IG-SRT
With IG-SRT, you will sit in a chair and a gel will be applied to the body at the site of the cancer. The board-certified radiation therapist will hold a small imaging wand over the site and a detailed image of the cancer will appear on screen. The doctor will use that image to measure the size and shape of the tumor, calculate the dose of treatment, and define the treatment area. Once complete, the arm of the device will be placed over the treatment site, and the exact dose of X-ray energy will be used to precisely target the cancer site without harming the normal tissue around it.
IG-SRT is the only skin cancer treatment with ultrasound imaging, so you and your doctor can see the cancer, precisely target the tumor, and watch it shrink over the course of treatment.
IG-SRT is delivered in stages, which typically involve 3 to 5 treatments per week for 4 to 7 weeks. Each treatment is painless and can be done in as little as 15 minutes. Up to 3 tumors can be treated at one time, and the dose can be adjusted at every stage based on tumor response.
Is IG-SRT effective?
IG-SRT has a cure rate of 99% for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, making it one of the most effective treatments available for advanced skin cancer based on the clinical studies.
IG-SRT is delivered in stages, which typically involve 3 to 5 treatments per week for 4 to 7 weeks. Each treatment is painless and can be done in as little as 15 minutes. Up to 3 tumors can be treated at one time, and the dose can be adjusted at every stage based on tumor response.
What to expect after treatment
When X-ray energy is used to kill cancer cells, dead cancer cells are replaced by healthy tissue over time, so there is no scarring. There is a small risk of skin atrophy (thinning of the skin) and pigment changes (changes in the color of the skin) at the treatment site. But the chances of that are low.
What are the possible side effects?
Side effects may include skin inflammation with redness and swelling at the treatment site. These side effects often go away 2 to 6 weeks after treatment is complete. Topical creams or ointments may be used throughout the course of treatment to help minimize the side effects. There is less than a 5% chance of developing a secondary cancer 20 to 40 years after treatment. There is also risk of alopecia (hair loss) in the area of the body that has been treated.
Who Might Benefit From IG-SRT
IG-SRT is an option for people who:
- Would prefer a nonsurgical treatment
- May not be candidates for surgery
- Want to see the cancer shrink so they know treatment is working
- Have multiple lesions that need to be treated
- Want to avoid the potential side effects of surgery (cutting, bleeding, scarring)
- Care about cosmetic results
Is Image-guided SRT treatment for you?
Take the treatment quiz to find out. Click HERE to find out.
Questions that can help you define your personal treatment goals
- Would you prefer a surgical or nonsurgical treatment option?
- Do you have multiple tumors that need to be treated?
- Is your cancer located in a visible area of the body in which cosmetic results and scarring are a concern, such as around the ears, eyes, cheeks, forehead, lips, chin, scalp, or nose?
- Would you be comfortable having surgery without knowing if you will need reconstructive surgery afterwards?
- Would you find comfort in being able to see the tumor shrink while it is being treated?
- Do you have the time and transportation needed for multiple short visits to the doctor’s office over the course of a few weeks?
- How important is it for you to remain active without restrictions to your daily activities during and after treatment?
What is Image-Guided SRT?
Image-Guided SRT is surgery-free cure for basal and squamous cell skin cancers. As the only skin cancer treatment with ultrasound images, Image-Guided SRT finds and measures the exact skin cancer area. It then precisely targets the cancer with low levels of X-ray energy to kill the cancer. This gentle treatment has no cutting, no bleeding, no pain, and no scarring. It is done right in the dermatologist’s office, where you can watch the cancer go away at each visit.
Efficacy: Image-Guided SRT cures skin cancer.
- Image-Guided SRT is more than 99% effective at curing basal and squamous cell skin cancers.
- It is one of the most effective skin cancer treatments today.
To receive more information or schedule a consultation, call and speak with our friendly staff at (541) 678-0020.
References: 1. Yu L, Oh C, Shea CR. The treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer with image-guided superficial radiation therapy: an analysis of 2917 invasive and in situ keratinocytic carcinomas lesions. Oncol Ther. Published online February 5, 2021.
