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Targeted Skin Cancer Treatment

What is Targeted Skin Cancer Treatment?

Rhenium-SCT (Skin Cancer Therapy) is a non-invasive one time treatment that uses the radioactive paste to treat certain types of skin cancer.
Preparing for your examination
Reasons for getting one
What to expect
Your Results
Related information

Targeted Skin Cancer Treatment at Noosa Radiology

Noosa Radiology is the only licenced provider Rhenium-SCT on the Sunshine Coast.

Rhenium-SCT involves the one-time application of a radioactive paste to the skin. The paste contains isotope rhenium-188. This is used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It delivers localised beta radiation to the lesion with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue, making it especially suitable for delicate areas like the face and hands. The radiation doesn’t penetrate deeper layers of the skin, and the application is designed to spare healthy tissue around the affected area.

Preparing for your examination

Your medical professional will discuss the different treatment options with you, including why they are recommending Rhenium-SCT in your case. This will allow you to ask any questions you may have about your treatment options.
Your medical professional will then perform the following assessments prior to your treatment with Rhenium-SCT.

  • Confirmation of diagnosis
    To determine whether treatment with Rhenium-SCT is right for you, your medical professional will perform a punch biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of tissue with a small circular blade (called a punch) so that a pathologist can examine it. The procedure is performed under a local anaesthetic and usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. A punch biopsy is required to confirm the BCC or SCC diagnosis and to determine how deep the tumour is. Tumours must be less than 3mm deep to be suitable for Rhenium-SCT. The punch biopsy results and photographs of the lesion will then be included with your referral.
  • Referral for treatment
    Following these assessments, you will be referred to Noosa Radiology. At this appointment, the suitability of the tumour for Rhenium-SCT® will be discussed and we will explain what is involved in the procedure so that you can provide your consent. Please be aware that all skin cancer treatments require an appointment. Please call us to arrange a time.​
  • Margin assessment
    Your medical professional will assess you and mark the treatment area. This will include the tumour as well as some nearby normal-looking tissue (known as the margin). Including a margin helps ensure that all the cancer cells are removed. The area calculation will be used to calculate your Rhenium-SCT treatment.

Reasons for Targeted Skin Cancer Treatment

BCC and SCC lesions, including:

  • Superficial and nodular tumours
  • Infiltrative and ulcerated tumours, and
  • Recurrent tumours.

Complex treatment areas treatable with Rhenium-SCT include:

  • Face (including nose, ear, and lip)
  • Digits
  • Locations where wound closure may be challenging

Rhenium-SCT is non-invasive and well-tolerated

  • Localised radiodermatitis (mostly Grade 1 and 2) is common (97.5%) following Rhenium-SCT and is an expected reaction to all cutaneous radiation treatments
  • The most common adverse event at day 14 was itchiness (20%)*
    *The available data cannot rule out that similar side effects as conventional brachytherapy may occur

Rhenium-SCT does not require anaesthesia

  • No special precautions for patients following treatment with Rhenium-SCT

What to expect

Treatment usually takes between 30 and 180 minutes. Only one treatment is required in most cases.

Marking the area

The medical professional marks the area to be treated.

Treatment

The medical professional covers the area in an adhesive film before applying the Rhenium-SCT paste. After the calculated treatment time has elapsed, the film is removed and you can return home.

Following treatment

The most common side effects are redness, scabbing, itching, and burning, which can occur after the treatment as the area heals. Healing typically occurs 30–90 days after treatment with Rhenium-SCT but may take up to 180 days depending on factors such as the size, depth, and location of the tumour and your general health.

 

When can you get your results?

You will be reviewed 12 weeks post-treatment.

Related information

Rhenium-SCT Patient Information

Request an appointment

Please contact our friendly team at Noosa Radiology
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Noosa Radiology
Call us now on 07 5440 9700

Noosaville Medical & Professional Centre
90 Goodchap Street, Noosaville QLD 4566

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