Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT): A Minimally Invasive Option for Skin Cancer Patients
Jul 02, 2025
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with skin cancer, it’s natural to feel concerned about treatment options and the potential need for surgery. The good news is that many skin cancers are highly curable when detected early, and there are nonsurgical skin cancer treatments that might be a good fit.
Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is a gentle, targeted approach that effectively treats skin cancer, preserves healthy tissue, and minimizes recovery time. Our team at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center in Teaneck, New Jersey, specializes in SRT, and here’s what you should know about the procedure.
SRT is a noninvasive treatment that uses low-energy X-rays to target and destroy cancerous skin cells. It’s called “superficial” because the radiation only penetrates a few millimeters below the surface, a depth that’s just far enough to effectively treat skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) without affecting deeper tissues or organs.
We typically prescribe a series of SRT treatment sessions, which allows the surrounding healthy skin to heal between treatments. Each session is quick and painless, and most last just a few minutes.
SRT can be an excellent option for people who have early-stage nonmelanoma skin cancer, including basal and squamous cell carcinomas. Since it’s nonsurgical, it’s a popular choice for areas where surgery may cause cosmetic concerns, particularly the face, ears, scalp, or neck.
It may also be a good option for people who have health conditions that make them poor candidates for surgery, older adults, and people with multiple skin cancer lesions who want to avoid scarring and stitches.
At Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, we offer SRT because it’s highly effective and gentle on the skin. One study found that SRT can achieve cure rates of up to 98% for selected skin cancers, which is comparable to surgical options like Mohs surgery, with excellent cosmetic outcomes.
If you need skin cancer treatment, our team is here to help you find the right plan for your needs. We start by understanding your diagnosis and your health history, then we discuss treatment options. If you’re a good candidate for SRT, here’s what you can expect.
Before you start treatment, we take images and careful measurements of your skin cancer lesion(s) to plan your treatment and make sure radiation is delivered as precisely as possible. Next, we develop your treatment schedule, which typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks for the best results.
Each SRT session takes place in our office, and treatment is painless. Unlike surgery, there is no cutting, bleeding, or need for stitches. There’s minimal downtime required after each session, and your skin might appear red or peel slightly. With proper care, skin usually heals well, and scarring is generally minimal or unnoticeable.
If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer or have a suspicious spot you’d like evaluated, schedule a consultation today to find out if superficial radiation therapy might be right for you. We provide patients with personalized, comprehensive skin cancer treatment options at Advanced Laser and Skin Cancer Center, and we’re here to help you find the answers you need.
Call us at 201-836-9696 or book a consultation online today to get started.