Non-Surgical Skin Cancer Treatment in Monroe, LA and Southlake, TX
Every year, millions of people are diagnosed with skin cancer. The condition is preventable, and treatment is most effective with early detection. With cutting edge technologies such as the GentleCure™ Image-Guided SRT system, skin cancer treatments can even be non-surgical. Janine Hopkins, M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist, offers skin cancer treatments for both men and women in Monroe, Alexandria, Shreveport, the Ark-La-Miss, Southlake, TX and the surrounding areas of Northeast Louisiana.
What is GentleCure™?
GentleCure™ is a non-surgical skin cancer treatment for nonmelanoma cancers, including basal and squamous cell skin cancers. The gentle, in-office procedure is completely safe and delivers a 99%+ cure rate. With a comfortable treatment experience and minimal side effects, GentleCure™ is quickly becoming one of the most popular treatment options for skin cancer.
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How Does GentleCure™ Work?
GentleCure™ is made possible with an advanced image-guided SRT machine. This technology uses ultrasound imaging to visualize the depth of cancerous skin cells in the treatment area. With this information, the device can deliver Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) to the affected areas. Ultrasound imaging combined with the SRT technology ensures precise treatment of cancerous skin cells. Treatments will continue over the course of several weeks until the ultrasound imaging shows no visible signs of cancer.
What Can I Expect From My Non-Surgical Skin Cancer Treatment?
Before your treatment, you will sit down with Dr. Hopkins in a one-on-one consultation to discuss your personalized treatment plan. Your course of treatment will vary widely depending on the type of skin cancer you have, the size of your treatment area and how abnormal your growth is. Your treatment will be non-invasive and non-surgical, meaning there will be no cutting, bleeding or scarring during the course of your treatment. The SRT-100 Vision™ device will be placed on the treatment areas to deliver relatively painless pulses of Superficial Radiation Therapy. After your treatment, there will be very little downtime or recovery, so you may be able to resume normal daily activities immediately.
What is the Difference Between GentleCure™ and Mohs Surgery?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72HOrhMJvaQ
GentleCure™ and Mohs surgery are two very different treatment options for skin cancer.
GentleCure™
GentleCure™ is a non-surgical treatment that uses superficial radiation therapy (SRT) to target and destroy cancer cells without removing any tissue. It is recommended for low-risk, superficial basal and squamous cell carcinomas, but clinical studies show a 99.3% cure rate for these tumor types. This makes it equal to and perhaps even better than the efficacy of Mohs surgery.
Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgery is a long-established surgical technique where layers of skin cancer tissue are incrementally removed and examined until no cancer cells remain. This process allows maximal preservation of healthy tissue while ensuring full removal of the tumor. Mohs requires anesthetizing the patient and is performed in stages during one lengthy surgical session. Unfortunately, it often necessitates reconstructive surgery to repair the wound. Due to the complexity of treatment, Mohs is typically used for higher-risk or recurring skin cancers like melanomas. Although it has potential surgical risks, Mohs provides excellent cure rates when done by a specialized surgeon.
What is the GentleCure™ Treatment Like?
As a non-surgical treatment, GentleCure™ offers a preferable treatment experience without the discomfort and cosmetic issues associated with surgery or other invasive techniques. There is no anesthesia, incisions, or interruptions to your normal daily activities. Each treatment session will begin with the application of an ultrasound gel to the treatment site. Then, using the GentleCure™ SRT device, we’ll get a detailed image of your skin cancer on a screen. Using this imaging, we’ll be able to analyze the characteristics of the cancerous growth and determine the appropriate treatment dosage. Finally, the GentleCure™ SRT device will be used to deliver x-ray energy to the cancer site, without harming the healthy tissue around it. In all, the treatment session takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
How Much Does GentleCure™ Treatment Cost?
The cost of your non-surgical skin cancer treatment using the GentleCure™ system is going to depend on the type of cancer you have, the size of the treatment area and how much cancer has already developed. Fortunately, GentleCure™ is an FDA approved treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer, and as such, it is typically covered by Medicare and most other health insurance plans. Still, with many insurance plans, you may have to pay some out-of-pocket cost. That cost will depend on your specific health plan coverage and co-pay policy. During your consultation, we’ll verify your coverage for GentleCure™ so we can inform you of the exact costs associated with your treatment.
How Many GentleCure™ Treatments are Needed?
GentleCure™ is performed over the course of several weeks. Typically, we’ll recommend a couple of treatment sessions per week for 4 to 7 weeks. Here’s what a typical patient might expect throughout the course of their treatment:
Before Treatment
This example shows a patient with basal skin cancer on the top of the ear. The GentleCure™ device captures an image of the skin cancer on the skin, with the ultrasound technology clearly visualizing the depth, width, and breadth of the cancer.
During Treatment
Approximately halfway through the GentleCure™ treatment, the skin cancer will visibly reduce in size on the outside of the skin. We’ll also see this reflected in the ultrasound imaging, showing that the cancer under the skin has been reduced.
After Treatment
Approximately two weeks after the final treatment session, the skin will show no signs of cancer. Similarly, the ultrasound imaging will show that the GentleCure™ treatment has successfully eliminated cancerous cells.
Are There Any Side Effects of the GentleCure™ Treatment?
As opposed to Mohs surgery and other invasive skin cancer treatment, GentleCure™ causes limited side effects, and those that develop are typically quite minor. Of course, without surgery, there is no scarring or need for reconstructive surgery. However, there are small risks of the following side effects:
- Skin atrophy (thinning of the skin)
- Pigment changes (changes in skin color)
- Hair loss in the treatment area
- Skin inflammation
- Redness
- Swelling
Many of these side effects can be managed using topical creams or ointments. Furthermore, they typically subside on their own approximately 2 to 6 weeks after treatment is complete.
How Effective is GentleCure™?
GentleCure™ has a proven track record that is backed by science and clinical research.
- In 2021, a study reviewed the use of Image-Guided SRT on 1,632 patients. This group was treated for one or more early-stage basal or squamous cell skin cancers, with 2,917 total skin cancers treated. This study found that Image-Guided SRT delivered a 99.3% cure rate, which is believed to be equal to or better than Mohs surgery.
- In 2022 and 2023, further studies were published on the efficacy of Image-Guided SRT. These studies found that it is superior to non-image-guided forms of radiation therapy. This proves that Image-Guided SRT should be the first-line treatment for basal and squamous cell cancers.
If you’re interested in exploring more clinical studies and learning about the efficacy of GentleCure™ ImageGuided SRT, click here.
Am I A Good Candidate for GentleCure™?
If you have basal or squamous cell carcinomas, or have issues with keloid scarring and are looking for an effective alternative treatment to Mohs surgery, getting a non-surgical treatment with GentleCure™ Image-Guided SRT may be right for you. You can talk to Dr. Hopkins more about your candidacy for the procedure during your one-on-one consultation. Ideal candidates are in otherwise good health and do not smoke.
Why Choose Hopkins Dermatology for Your GentleCure™ Treatment?
Hopkins Dermatology is proud to offer GentleCure™ to give patients a non-surgical skin cancer treatment option. We believe in providing patients with advanced, comfortable treatment options that offer the highest efficacy rates. Only GentleCure™ offers the imaging and precision that guarantees an effective, non-surgical, radiation-based treatment for skin cancer. When you schedule your consultation at Hopkins Dermatology, we’ll walk you through what you can expect from your GentleCure™ treatment and help you overcome your skin cancer diagnosis as painlessly as possible.
To learn more about GentleCure™ Image-Guided SRT or schedule your consultation at Hopkins Dermatology, contact us today. Dr. Janine Hopkins is a board-certified dermatologist who offers GentleCure™ and other skin cancer treatments in Monroe, LA, and Southlake, TX. We welcome patients from Alexandria, Shreveport, the Ark-La-Miss, and the surrounding areas of Louisiana and Texas.
"Dr. Hopkins is truly an incredible dermatologist! So thankful to have someone as knowledgeable as her serving the DFW area." - Hannah C.