Current Role of Radiotherapy in Non-melanoma Skin Cancer.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy globally, with increasing incidence due to an aging population.
• Radiotherapy is a recognized, tissue-preserving, non-surgical treatment option for NMSC.
• Various radiotherapy modalities, including external beam and brachytherapy, exist with distinct indications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the role and indications of radiotherapy in managing non-melanoma skin cancer.
• To highlight radiotherapy as an alternative to surgery for medically or technically inoperable cases.
• To inform clinicians across disciplines about the strategic use of radiotherapy in NMSC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiotherapy's efficacy and tissue-preserving benefits in NMSC.
• Discussion of specific indications for external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy.
• Analysis of radiotherapy for inoperable, elderly, or comorbid patients, including hypofractionated regimens.
• Evaluation of adjuvant radiotherapy's role in reducing recurrence risk for unfavorable pathology.

Main Results:

• Radiotherapy provides an excellent alternative for NMSC when surgery is contraindicated or suboptimal.
• Short-course hypofractionated radiotherapy is well-tolerated in elderly/comorbid patients.
• Adjuvant radiotherapy can significantly decrease local and regional recurrence rates.

Conclusions:

• Radiotherapy is a crucial component in the multidisciplinary management of NMSC.
• Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of radiotherapy is essential for clinicians.
• This discussion aims to clarify the indications for recommending radiotherapy in diverse NMSC clinical scenarios.