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Unlike traditional radiation that delivers massive amounts of energy that penetrates deep into the body and can cause severe skin reactions, SRT utilizes a small, portable device that delivers very low energy just below the surface of the skin. It treats only skin cancers. Because SRT uses low energy radiotherapy, skin reactions are typically mild and very small.
Just like its predecessor, the SRT-100, the SRT-100 Vision has the ability to deliver precise, painless, and calibrated doses of Superficial Radiation Therapy. However, this updated model now has high-frequency ultrasound for imaging, making it much more effective for use.
As always, a consultation is a good first step to determining whether this treatment is right for you. Keep in mind that:
Q: Am I radioactive, and is my treatment dangerous to myself or others?
A: No, you are not radioactive and your treatment is very safe.
Q: Will my hair fall out?
A: Your hair will only fall out in the area treated, and that would be a very small area.
Q: Will I be sick?
A: No, other than mild irritation at the treatment site, your body is unaffected.
Q: Does the treatment penetrate bone?
A: No, the treatment only penetrates a few millimeters into the patient’s tissue, and has little effect on normal surrounding tissue.
Q: What precautions should I follow?
A: Wash the area lightly with a gentle soap, do not use a washcloth, pat dry, and do not use perfumes or deodorants or any kind of medicine on the area without checking with your caregiver. Always cover the area with clothing or sunscreen, as the skin is more sensitive to sunlight when being treated and after treatment is completed.
Q: If the lesion were to come back, can I have it treated with SRT again?
A: No, in the unlikely event your cancer were to come back, it would have to be treated surgically. (The SRT-100 VisionTM is comparable to surgery and is 95%-plus effective in curing basal and squamous cell skin cancer.)
Q: If I’ve had radiation before in the area where my cancer is, can I have it treated with SRT?
A: No, the skin can only be treated once with radiation.
Q: Will the treatment hurt?
A: No, the treatment is painless.
Q: How long will I be in the office each day for treatment?
A: Treatments generally take about 15 minutes total. (Simulation on the first day takes 30-45 minutes).
Q: How much will this treatment cost me?
A: With most insurances, patients are generally out of pocket some dollars based on coverage and deductibles, just like with surgery. The amounts can range from very little out-of-pocket expense to several thousand dollars based on your insurance plan. For example, patients with Medicare and a secondary insurance often pay nothing for treatment. Commercial plans are generally associated with a deductible, which varies greatly.
Q: Is this treatment covered by insurance?
A: Yes, most insurances as well as Medicare cover SRT.
Q: If I have to miss an appointment, will that cause a problem?
A: No, unlike treatment in a cancer center, the occasional missed appointment is easily remedied by adding the missed appointment to the end. Minor breaks in treatment do not generally affect your treatment.
Q: How will I know if the treatment is working?
A: Your Radiation Therapist will image the area every day with ultrasound, and once per week your practitioner will do the same to evaluate the cancer’s response to the treatment.
Dermatology Office, P.C., has four locations to conveniently serve you in Poplar Bluff & Dexter, Missouri and in Paragould & Jonesboro, Arkansas. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
If you’d like a brochure to have handy, you can download one from here.