Clinical Edge

Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

New Guideline Provides Recommendations for Radiation Therapy of Basal Cell, Squamous Cell Cancers

Key clinical point: The answers to five key questions can guide the use of radiation therapy in certain patients with basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Major finding: Definitive radiation therapy is strongly recommended as an alternative to surgery for basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, especially in areas where a surgical procedure would potentially compromise function or cosmesis.

Study details: A series of recommendations developed by a task force of radiation, medical, and surgical oncologists; dermatopathologists; a radiation oncology resident; a medical physicist; and a dermatologist.

Disclosures: Several of the authors reported receiving honoraria and travel expenses from medical and pharmaceutical companies, along with serving on their advisory boards. The others reported no conflicts of interest.

Citation:

Likhacheva A et al. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2019 Dec 9. doi: 10.1016/j.prro.2019.10.014.