What should you know about squamous cell skin cancer radiation treatment?

A specialist considers the lesion’s size, depth, position, biopsy features and whether it has returned. Radiotherapy may be offered instead of tumour removal surgery for selected lesions, or after surgery when the team wants to treat an area at higher risk of remaining disease. The treatment field is planned to focus on the target while limiting exposure to nearby tissue.

During a course, the treated skin can become red, dry, sore or irritated, and hair in the field may thin. Tiredness can occur. Effects vary with the body area and the treatment plan; the radiation team gives skin-care instructions and checks you during visits.

Tell the team about previous radiation, skin conditions, medicines and any difficulty attending appointments. Wash the area as instructed, avoid unapproved creams or adhesive dressings, and protect treated skin from sun and friction. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Immunotherapy may be discussed for selected advanced disease rather than as a routine substitute for local treatment.

Call the treatment team for rapidly worsening soreness, blistering, open skin, spreading redness, fever, pus-like drainage or pain that is not controlled by the agreed plan. Seek urgent help for facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding or sudden vision changes when treatment is near the eye.

Why is radiotherapy recommended for me? What area will be treated? How many visits are expected? Which skin products are safe? What changes should I report immediately? Would surgery or immunotherapy be considered instead or alongside it?