Epidermal radiotherapy using rhenium-188 paste for non-melanoma skin cancer

The condition

2.1 Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. It affects the cells in the top layers of the skin. The most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The main symptom is the appearance of lesions (lumps or discoloured patches) on the skin. The lesions are mostly found on skin that is regularly exposed to the sun.

Current treatments

2.2 Standard care depends on the initial presentation of non-melanoma skin cancer, such as the type, size, and location of the tumour. Surgery is the main treatment. Other treatment options include chemotherapy cream, immunotherapy creams, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy.

The procedure

2.3 The procedure is done without the need for anaesthesia or inpatient admission. It uses a beta-emitter radioisotope, rhenium-188, which can penetrate human tissue up to 3 mm deep. Rhenium-188 is bound to a matrix to form a paste and is applied using a specially designed applicator.

2.4 During the procedure, the area to be treated is protected from direct contact with the paste by a cream or sterile transparent foil. The paste is then applied over the area of the tumour using a safety margin, using a specially designed applicator. The treatment time is typically 30 to 180 minutes, and is calculated based on the target dose of radioactivity and the depth and size of the area to be treated. The paste dries out during the treatment time and turns into a flexible film. The film is removed when the treatment is over. The dead cancer cells are gradually replaced with new healthy cells.