IGSRT Shows High Recurrence-Free Rates in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) treated with Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IGSRT) showed consistently high freedom from recurrence rates, regardless of patient age or sex, according to a new analysis.

The large retrospective cohort study, published in Geriatrics and commissioned by the Dermatology Association of Radiation Therapy (DART), looked at data from nearly 20,000 NMSC lesions across 28 institutions in 12 states.

Results showed freedom from recurrence rates of 99.68% at two years, 99.57% at four years, and 99.57% at six years. The data spanned cases treated between 2016 and 2023, involving patients younger than 65 years and those aged 65 or older. The researchers also reported no significant differences in recurrence rates between younger and older patients. Older patients with stage 2 NMSC showed slightly poorer outcomes.

“This lack of difference in recurrence rates was consistent across stages in younger patients, while older patients did demonstrate a significant difference in recurrence when stratified by stage with slightly poorer outcomes seen in patients with stage 2 NMSC," the authors wrote. "These findings demonstrate that IGSRT is a viable therapeutic option for patients with NMSC regardless of patient age, sex, or stage, and bolster previous findings that IGSRT demonstrates excellent local tumor control and absolute lesion control and superior recurrence rates in this cohort relative to traditional SRT and historical rates of [Mohs micrographic surgery].”  

DART President Dr. Jacob Scott commented on the results in a news release, noting that "this research...reinforces the evidence that Image-Guided SRT demonstrates an excellent safety profile with predictable outcomes, making it an excellent first-line treatment alternative for patients diagnosed with early-stage NMSCs."