New Non-Surgical Treatment for Skin Cancer: IG-SRT and Advancements in Systemic Therapy

Rochester, Minnesota United States of America
Advancements in systemic therapy for melanoma continue to provide tumor regression and long-term durable cancer control in nearly 50% of patients.
At least a dozen new drugs have earned FDA approval for treating unresectable melanoma since 2011.
Basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common forms of skin cancer. While treatable and curable, melanoma is deadly and kills more than 8,000 people annually.
IG-SRT uses low level radiation to kill cancer cells and is less invasive than surgery. It requires no cutting and leaves the skin intact.
Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota introduced a new way to treat non-melanoma cancers called Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT).
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, with around 9,500 people diagnosed every day.
New Non-Surgical Treatment for Skin Cancer: IG-SRT and Advancements in Systemic Therapy

Title: New Treatment Options for Skin Cancer: A Game Changer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with around 9,500 people diagnosed every day.

According to the American Cancer Society, basal and squamous cell skin cancers are the most common forms of skin cancer diagnosed. While they are mostly treatable and curable, melanoma skin cancer is deadly and kills more than 8,000 people every year.

With people living longer, doctors say that the incidence of skin cancer is not going away anytime soon. Therefore, it's crucial to explore new treatment options for this prevalent disease.

Recently, Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota introduced a new way to treat non-melanoma cancers called Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT). This non-surgical treatment uses low level radiation to kill cancer cells and is less invasive than surgery. It requires no cutting and leaves the skin intact.

Dr. Jenna Aird, a dermatologist at Olmsted Medical Center, explains that IG-SRT is a small dose of radiation given three times a week for a few weeks. The treatment area includes the site of the skin cancer plus some surrounding tissue.

IG-SRT offers several advantages over traditional surgery. It's non-painful and allows patients to have more flexibility with regards to wound healing and no scarring. Moreover, it's an excellent option for those who don't want to undergo a painful surgical procedure.

Meanwhile, advancements in systemic therapy for melanoma continue to provide tumor regression and long-term durable cancer control in nearly 50% of patients. At least a dozen new drugs have earned FDA approval for treating unresectable melanoma since 2011.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment of melanoma, increasing median survival from 6 months to nearly 6 years for inoperable stage IV disease.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published guidelines for systemic treatment of melanoma in adults in 2020, which were updated with new randomized trials in 2023. These guidelines cover neoadjuvant therapy for resectable cutaneous melanoma, adjuvant therapy for resected cutaneous melanoma (Stage II, III, and IV), and systemic therapy for unresectable and/or metastatic cutaneous melanoma.

However, it's essential to note that more sun exposure increases the risk of developing both basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. Therefore, wearing a high SPF sunscreen is crucial for preventing skin cancer and protecting against wrinkles and discoloration.

In conclusion, new treatment options like IG-SRT offer less invasive alternatives to traditional surgery for non-melanoma cancers. Meanwhile, advancements in systemic therapy continue to provide effective treatments for melanoma. By staying informed about these developments and practicing sun safety, we can reduce the impact of skin cancer on our lives.



Confidence

100%

No Doubts Found At Time Of Publication

Sources

98%

  • Unique Points
    • Doctors have seen an increase in the number of melanoma diagnoses, with new cases rising 2% to 3% annually between 2015 and 2019.
    • Melanoma accounts for about 1% of skin cancers but is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths.
    • People who get frequent sunburns have a higher risk of developing melanoma.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • Olmsted Medical Center recently unveiled a new way to treat non-melanoma cancers called Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (IG-SRT).
    • IG-SRT is a non-surgical treatment that uses low level radiation to kill cancer cells and is less invasive than surgery.
    • IG-SFT requires no cutting and leaves the skin intact.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, with around 9,500 people diagnosed every day.[
    • Skin cancer rates are rising due to better detection methods and increased sun exposure.
    • Approximately 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

93%

  • Unique Points
    • HS, a lesser-known skin condition, is linked to nonmelanoma skin cancers.
    • Surgery is not always an option for treating skin cancer due to disfigurement or age-related difficulties.
    • Chemotherapy has adverse effects that may not be suitable for all patients, especially those 65 and older.
  • Accuracy
    • Approximately 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
    • Skin cancer rates are rising due to better detection methods and increased sun exposure.
    • Radiation therapy can produce uncomfortable or painful side effects.
  • Deception (80%)
    The article provides facts about the increase in skin cancer rates and the need for more treatment options. However, it also includes editorializing and emotional manipulation. The author states that 'providers are now in a position to consider the patient's quality of life when determining a path forward.' This is an opinion and not a fact. The article also uses phrases like 'pressing need', 'room for growth', and 'new path forward' which are emotionally manipulative. There is no deception by omission or selective reporting in this article.
    • Providers are now serving in an era where there is an opportunity to provide patients with more options than ever before.
    • The primary goal of all treatments is to eradicate cancer, but providers are now in a position to consider the patient’s quality of life when determining a path forward.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

  • Unique Points
    • At least a dozen new drugs have earned FDA approval for treating unresectable melanoma since 2011.
    • Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have revolutionized the treatment of melanoma, providing tumor regression and long-term durable cancer control in nearly 50% of patients.
    • Median survival for inoperable stage IV disease has increased from 6 months to nearly 6 years.
    • ASCO published guidelines for systemic treatment of melananoma in adults in 2020, which were updated with new randomized trials in 2023.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article does not contain any explicit logical fallacies. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority that border on being fallacious. The author uses phrases like 'brisk and accelerating', 'revolutionized the treatment of melanoma', and 'nearly 50% of patients' which can be seen as an attempt to create a sense of urgency or importance around the topic. Additionally, the author quotes Dr. Rahul Seth and Sanjiv without providing any context or qualification, which could be seen as an appeal to authority if it is not clear what their expertise or credentials are in relation to the topic.
    • ]The pace of progress in cancer care is brisk and accelerating, nowhere more so than in the treatment of melanoma.[
    • Four key scenarios The 2023 update answers the same 4 questions posed by the 2020 document:[
    • Rahul Seth, DO, and Sanjiv...
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication