The London Clinic has become the first private hospital in the UK to offer patients Rhenium-SCT – a new non-invasive treatment option for non-melanoma skin cancers.
The treatment, developed by German-based company OncoBeta, uses the chemical element rhenium to deliver a controlled dosage of radiation to the skin surface, treating superficial skin cancers precisely and painlessly.
Results show complete tumour regression in 98.5 per cent of lesions treated.
Dr Gerhard Dahlhoff, Medical Director for OncoBeta said: “The treatment is designed for non-melanoma skin cancer, which is an abnormal growth of cells that usually (but not always) develops on an area of skin that has been highly exposed to the sun.
“It grows more slowly than melanoma and is less likely to spread. However, it still requires treatment to stop it growing and possibly spreading.”
Following a Dermatologist referral, patients will be able to come to The London Clinic to be assessed by the radiation specialist, and then booked in for this treatment.
Patients without a Dermatologist referral can still access this treatment if suitable by booking an appointment in the Dermatology Clinic at The London Clinic’s Rapid Diagnostics Centre.
The treatment will begin with the dermatologist marking the required area, after which the nuclear medicine specialist can then apply a radioactive paste to the skin surface.
The treatment takes approximately 30 to 180 minutes depending on the size and depth of the area needed to treat.
Once the paste is removed, the procedure is complete and patients can go home.
The London Clinic’s Consultant Dermatologist Dr Bashir said: “This is a very exciting treatment because it’s non-invasive, completely painless and does not require any anaesthetic or surgery.
“In most cases only one treatment session is required, and the patient can literally walk in and walk out.”
“Most treatments for skin cancer require a surgical procedure and a degree of aftercare or wound care, such as stitches or dressings.
“No aftercare is needed for the Rhenium-SCT treatment.”
Rhenium-SCT can treat any non-melanoma skin cancer.
Its particular advantages lie in the treatment of patients with multiple lesions at one time, since no serious side effects are to be expected due to the low depth of action.
It’s also good for elderly patients, those with allergies, comorbidities or a low pain tolerance, and is recommended for those with tumors in high-risk or difficult to treat areas, where surgery has been refused, cases where surgery would result in functional mutilation cases where relapse has occurred, and for patients who have been diagnosed with either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
