GentleCure™ treatment and more for skin cancer:
Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy
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Dermatology Specialists of Illinois blends considerable expertise with the latest, clinically proven, safe, and effective technologies to treat a range of skin conditions, including cancers. There have never been more technologies and treatment options for our patients in Algonquin, Woodstock, Lake Barrington, Huntley, and beyond.
Board-certified dermatologists
Drs Vikram “Vic” Khanna and Lauren Boshnick are pleased to introduce
GentleCure™ to our vast range of services to help patients put their skin diagnoses behind them. So they can get back to leading their fullest lives!
Hi, this is Vic Khanna with Dermatology Specialists of Illinois, and I'm here to talk a little bit about one of the treatments we have for skin cancer at dermatology specialists of Illinois called superficial radiation therapy or image-guided superficial radiation therapy. Also recently rebranded as Gentle Cure. This is a non-surgical approach to removing skin cancer, and this is a very high cure rate. It's used mostly for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinomas. Two of the most common forms of skin cancer, the affected areas treated with radiation, and the radiation is fractionated into many doses, and we give a light dose on each of the treatment visits until the protocol has been finished. It usually takes somewhere between 15 to 25 treatments and they're very brief treatments. You come into the office and the patient walks in, walks out. They rarely have any side effects to the treatment, and it offers a 99.3% cure rate. The benefits of this treatment are it's nonsurgical. It tends to have less scarring. It tends to be painless. The downsides to it are it's a little bit slower. You have more visits involved with it, but it's usually covered by insurance, and people are very, very satisfied with it. We've had very few recurrences after this type of treatment, and we've been using it in our practice for 10 years now. So if you are interested in superficial radiation therapy, we have a lot of experience with this treatment, and we're happy to help you at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois.
This revolutionary form of
“Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy” (IGSRT) lives up to its name as a kinder, gentler therapy for the skin that takes a tough approach to targeting certain
skin cancers.
Hi everyone. I'm Marianne from Dermatology specialist of Illinois discussing treatment options for precancerous lesions as well as skin cancer. Pre-cancerous lesions are also known as actinic keratosis, and we have various treatment methodologies. Everyone is typically familiar with good old liquid nitrogen. If you've ever experienced it, you typically remember it. In addition to liquid nitrogen, we can treat precancerous lesions with topicals as well as blue light. Blue light allows us to use a chemical as well as light, and they act as a smart bomb to treat a full field of precancerous lesions. Here at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois, we are fortunate enough to have that as a treatment option. Now, let's talk about skin cancers. We also have various treatment options to manage skin cancers. Sometimes a simple excision is all that is required. We also have Dr. Khanna, who's an excellent MO surgeon, and finally, we have superficial radiation treatment. This is a painless scarless way to treat your skin cancer. So you are welcome to come to Dermatology Specialists of Illinois, schedule a consultation, and we can help you decide on the best treatment methodology that's right for you. We've got options for you, and we're willing to take the time and make the effort to make sure that you get exactly what you're looking for and that we achieve together what we want to achieve.
Effective treatment without surgery
GentleCure™ does not use cutting or incisions to remove skin cancers surgically. Instead, it is based on advancements in IGSRT technology. In fact, it is the first and only skin cancer therapy equipped with ultrasound imaging. This allows patients to visualize the cancer on a monitor. They can see progress at each stage in the treatment process until no visible signs of cancer are left behind.
An alternative to other radiation-based treatments, GentleCure™ largely supports optimal safety, outcomes, and aesthetics by also allowing our clinicians to see and measure the cancer. The advanced imaging that guides this type of SRT helps us to precisely tailor or adapt dosing to your needs at every step in your treatment journey.
Superficial Radiation Therapy explained by Dr. Vic Khanna
Dr. Vic Khanna explains how superficial radiation therapy is used in treating skin cancers.
Dr. Khanna also says that this treatment is used to treat skin cancer for nearly a century and also they have treated about 1000 patients with superficial radiation therapy in the past few years.
Superficial Radiation Therapy is used to treat skin cancers.
This treatment has been used to cure skin cancers for nearly a century. During the last few years it has been made safe with the new machine and we have treated about 1000 patients already.
This is a painless and scarless treatment for skin cancer, which is really great.
This is a treatment for basal cell and squamous cell cancers, but not for melanoma skin cancer.
The other place where this treatment can be used is for keloid treatments and it is FDA approved. A keloid is a thick scar that occurs in patients who have had some injury to their skin.
Keloids are most common in individuals of colour with an Asian and African ancestry . These scars are unsightly and can be painful.
After these scars are removed once again, this treatment with superficial radiation therapy will be done for three consecutive days.
It offers 94% cure rate. This is the best treatment for keloid and we are excited about that.
Call Dermatology Specialists of Illinois at (844) 307-7546 to learn more about Superficial Radiation Therapy-SRT.
What to expect
Due to the gentle nature of this “cure,” there is no associated post-surgical care nor demands on your schedule and body for additional healing and reconstructive surgery. You can maintain your busy and healthy lifestyle throughout treatment—no downtime required.
Each treatment session essentially involves relaxing in one of our treatment chairs. Before administering radiotherapy, we prepare the images that guide precision treatment. This consists of applying ultrasound gel at the cancer site. With the assistance of an imaging wand, a detailed image of the cancer is rendered on a monitor. We review any images. You, too, can see the image for yourself, which enhances the understanding of your needs, treatment, and progress. Pictures truly speak volumes.
Leveraging accurate and clear imaging, we calculate the precise dose of x-ray energy that is necessary during each treatment session. This is based on the size and shape of the cancer. These images also help to guide and define the specific treatment site. With such powerful information in hand, we then apply precisely the correct dose to exactly the right treatment site – while leaving healthy tissues untouched.
Each session only takes about 15 minutes. Treatments are well-tolerated and can be safely completed several times a week. Treatment time varies based on several factors, but usually GentleCure™ takes about four to seven weeks.
Experience the benefits
The innovators behind GentleCure™, SkinCure® Oncology, report in a study of 12,000-plus patients, 99.9% were satisfied with their treatment decision and would recommend Image-Guided SRT to their friends and family. Additionally, they report that this
comfortable and surgery-free approach has a more than 99% cure rate when treating basal and squamous cell cancers.
A world of options
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There is no one quite like you. So, no two treatment plans will be the same. In addition to GentleCure™ Image-Guided SRT, Dermatology Specialists of Illinois offer a variety of other trusted treatments from our four Chicagoland area offices:
- Mohs Micrographic Surgery – We are among a select group of dermatologists who have completed extensive training in this highly precise approach to treating certain cancers, from those in cosmetic areas (like the face) to challenging or recurrent cases. With MMS, cancer cells are removed, little by little and layer by layer, until no cancer is seen when viewed with a microscope. This allows for utmost tissue preservation and highly targeted treatment.
- Excisional surgery – Trust our expertise to support optimal outcomes and minimize scarring. We can discuss reconstructive options as needed. This approach involves removing the cancerous tissue and small surrounding area (margin) of healthy skin with cutting instruments and techniques. It is tolerated well with localized anesthetic and can be used to remove all sorts of skin cancers.
- Curettage with electrodessication – Our doctors can abrade away the cancer using a special device called a “curette.” After these layers of cancerous cells are removed, any remaining cells are destroyed or cauterized with the application of an electric needle. This procedure may be completed quickly, does not require sutures, and may be appropriate for basal cell and certain squamous cell cancers.
- Chemotherapy – This cancer-fighting medication may be applied in a variety of different ways. As needed, topical creams or lotions are introduced directly to the skin. Or, the anti-cancer drug may be injected into the cancer. These options may present attractive alternatives to the side effects of systemic chemo and surgical intervention, respectively.
There is hope for a cure that is gentle and safe. We encourage anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or who desires a second opinion to contact our team at Dermatology Specialists of Illinois today. With offices in Algonquin, Woodstock, Lake Barrington, and Huntley, IL, our expertise is certain to be close by. Call (844) 307-7546 with questions and to schedule an appointment.
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Dermatology Specialists of Illinois blends considerable expertise with the latest, clinically proven, safe, and effective technologies to treat a range of skin conditions, including cancers. There have never been more technologies and treatment options for our patients in Algonquin, Woodstock, Lake Barrington, Huntley, and beyond.
