How are you taking part in this consultation?

You will not be able to change how you comment later.

You must be signed in to answer questions

    The content on this page is not current guidance and is only for the purposes of the consultation process.

    Interventional procedure overview of epidermal radiotherapy using rhenium-188 paste for non-melanoma skin cancer

    Closed for comments This consultation ended on at   Request commenting lead permission

    What the procedure involves

    The procedure is done without the need for anaesthesia or inpatient admission. It uses a beta-emitter radioisotope rhenium-188, which can penetrate the human tissue up 3 mm deep. The rhenium-188 is bound to a matrix to form a paste and is applied using a specially designed applicator. During the treatment, the area to be treated is protected from direct contact with the paste by a cream or sterile transparent foil. The rhenium-188 paste is then applied on the area of the lesion with a safety margin. The treatment time is calculated based on the applied radioactivity and the area of the region being treated and is typically about 30 to 180 minutes. 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.

    Unmet need

    NMSCs are the most common class of skin cancers. The most common treatment is surgery. Surgery may lead to scarring if treating large or multiple lesions. Surgery or alternative therapies (chemical therapies, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy) may also be technically difficult in some common lesion sites, for example on fingers, ears or the nose. This procedure may offer a treatment option when surgery is not advised because of comorbidities or contraindicated, or for lesions which the anatomical position may result in a suboptimal cosmetic result using conventional approaches. Rhenium-188 paste can be used on genital lesions. Avoiding surgery on these lesions may be beneficial for preserving sexual function and quality of life.