Radiotherapy has been used for ages to treat cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in patients not suitable for surgery, those having high-risk histological features in the adjuvant setting, and palliative care.

A study summarized and provided a radiation therapy overview on the indications, effectiveness, and potential adverse events of radiotherapy in the adjuvant and advanced setting of CSCC by exploring the literature.

The following observations were made-

• Radiotherapy (RT) can be safely used to treat non-surgical and high-risk patients in the advanced CSCC setting. 
• Advancements in delivery techniques have increased the effectiveness and improved the toxicity profile of RT treatments. 
• Advancements have been seen in all RT techniques including 2D techniques, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and brachytherapy.
• The use of deeper care has improved acute and chronic side effects
• For CSCC, numerous dose fractionations and schedules can be customized according to the patient’s age and medical conditions.

Thus it was inferred that RT remains the basic and advancing therapeutic option in the treatment of CSCC, to reduce the risk of recurrence and metastases in the adjuvant setting and the sole treatment for non-surgical patients. 

Source: Dermatol Pract Concept. 2021; 11(S2): e2021168S. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.11S2a168S