Practice and Educational Gaps in Radiation Therapy in Dermatology

Abstract

Guidelines for appropriate use of superficial radiation therapy are based on decades of research; although no formal appropriate use criteria have been developed, they are warranted. Superficial radiation in the outpatient dermatologic setting is the least expensive form of radiation treatment. Although higher cure rates may be possible with Mohs surgery, this should never argue against dermatologists retaining and refining a modality, nor should we limit its use by our successors. Most important, our elderly and infirm patients should continue to benefit from superficial radiation therapy in outpatient dermatologic settings.

Keywords: Appropriate use criteria; Basal cell carcinoma; Dermatologic radiotherapy; Nonmelanoma skin cancer; Squamous cell carcinoma; Superficial radiation treatment; Superficial radiotherapy; Treatment selection criteria.