Long-term clinical outcomes of non-melanoma skin cancer patients treated with electronic brachytherapy

Purpose: High-dose-rate electronic brachytherapy (eBx) is a non-surgical treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) patients. This study assessed long-term effectiveness and safety of eBx for the treatment of NMSC. Material and methods: A chart review was conducted to identify subjects who had five or more years since their last eBx treatment fraction. Subjects meeting these criteria were contacted to determine their interest in participating in a long-term follow-up study. Those who agreed, underwent a follow-up visit where consent was obtained, and their lesions were clinically assessed for recurrence and long-term skin toxicities. History and demographic data were retrospectively collected, and treatment method was verified. Recurrence rate for the 183 subjects was 1.1%. Long-term skin toxicities were reported in 70.0% of the subjects. Hypopigmentation grade 1 was observed in 65.9% of the lesions, telangiectasia grade 1 was seen in 22.2%, scarring grade 1 in two subjects (1.1%), hyperpigmentation grade 1 in two subjects (1.1%), and induration grade 2 in one patient (0.5%). The induration grade 2 was located on the upper back and did not limit instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs). Conclusions: = 183), with minimal long-term toxicities.