Be informed.
Be empowered.

The first important thing to understand about skin cancer: you are not alone, as you will see in the highlighted facts below. The three major types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Today, options for treating skin cancer, including radiation therapy, continue to advance. Throughout your cancer journey—from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship—your medical care team is with you every step of the way.

Skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed group of cancers worldwide.

Globally, between 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers occur each year.

Melanoma is the 13th most common cancer in men and the 15th most common cancer in women around the world.

Skin cancer

Your treatment plan

There are a variety of treatment options for skin cancer. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the type and stage of the disease, the size of the tumor, your general health, and other considerations.

Treatment options for skin cancer include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy and other treatments, or may entail a combination of therapies.

Skin cancer

Radiation therapy treatment techniques

There are different types of radiation therapy—sometimes called radiotherapy or “RT”—for skin cancer, including:

Skin cancer

Possible side effects

Side effects are cumulative, which means they can develop over several weeks or months as the body responds to radiation. You can ask your radiation oncologist what you might expect from your specific treatment. Every patient’s treatment is different, but these are some common side effects of skin cancer radiation therapy:

  • Skin irritation in the treatment area, including:
    • Sore, tender or dry skin
    • Burning or itching skin
    • Rash or redness
    • Changes in skin color
    • Blistering and peeling skin
    • Skin infection
  • General side effects such as fatigue
Skin cancer

Your treatment journey

hen it comes to preparing for your skin cancer treatment, knowledge is power. That includes knowing what to expect during your treatment journey so you can move forward one informed and empowered step at a time. Here is a brief outline of what you can expect during external beam radiation treatment. The details of some steps may differ, depending on your particular case.

Step 1: Consultation

First, you'll meet with your radiation oncologist to discuss what type of radiation treatment options are recommended for your specific case, and make a decision together about your treatment.

Step 2: Simulation

As part of your treatment planning, the exact area of the tumor must first be determined. This is usually done using a CT scan, short for computed tomography, providing a detailed 3-D image of the treatment area using x-rays. Sometimes temporary skin marks or even tiny tattoos (about the size of a freckle) are made on your body to help the radiation therapist position you correctly each day for treatment.

Step 3: Treatment planning

After simulation is complete, your treatment team will develop your personalized treatment plan, taking into account the location and type of cancer you have, your medical history, lab tests, and other factors—all to determine your best course of treatment. Typical treatment with radiation therapy will require you to come for treatment five days a week.

Step 4: Positioning for treatment

On your treatment days, your radiation therapist will position you on the radiation machine’s treatment couch with the help of a laser for alignment.

Step 5: Start of treatment

The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator, or linac. Some linacs have a visible gantry, which will move around you, and other linacs have an enclosed gantry, which you will not see move, to deliver the radiation. You won’t see, hear, feel or smell the beam, in most cases. Treatment sessions usually take approximately 15 minutes. Your first treatment session may be a little longer.

Step 6: Post-treatment and follow-up care

EEvery patient is different, but most patients can continue daily activities during treatment, despite side effects such as fatigue. After your final treatment, your radiation oncologist will schedule periodic follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and the results of your treatment.

Skin cancer

Helpful resources for skin cancer

Questions to ask

Some important things you may want to find out from your doctor before undergoing treatment for skin cancer.

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