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At GenesisCare, we use the latest techniques to get the best results possible.
You may have heard of radiation therapy (also called “radiotherapy” or just “radiation”) as a treatment for many types of cancer. Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells with a prescribed dose, while our specialists and cutting-edge technology carefully avoid unnecessary exposure of surrounding healthy tissue. The radiation damages cancer cells to prevent further growth. Radiation also helps to stop pre-cancerous cells from becoming cancerous.
At GenesisCare, we use the latest techniques to get the best results possible. Skinviva™ therapy is a modern type of radiation therapy that is used to treat Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer, (NMSC).
Your healthcare provider will help you understand what the best treatment option is for you. Because it can target and treat such specific areas of your skin, Skinviva™ may be a good option if:
This is Brett’s personal experience with Skinviva™. As with any treatment, individual results will vary. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about whether Skinviva™ is the right option for you.
Skinviva™ may not be the right treatment for everyone. Talk with your healthcare provider about your situation and whether this option is best for you.
Our doctors, nurses, and staff are here to support you at every step along the way! Once you’ve been referred to GenesisCare for Skinviva therapy, here is what you can expect:
This appointment will be with your radiation oncologist. He or she will review your history and do an exam to make sure Skinviva is right for you.
7-10 days before you start Skinviva, you will have a CT scan of the area that will be treated. Also, you will be fitted with a custom-mold to ensure the perfect tailoring of the treatment to your body. You will also meet your radiation therapist and get your personal Skinviva therapy plan.
Before Skinviva starts, you will meet with a nurse. He or she will give you more information, answer your questions and tell you how to care for your skin between sessions.
At your first session, your radiation therapist will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. This first appointment should take 20 to 30 minutes.
The rest of your appointments should take 10 to 15 minutes each. The Skinviva session itself is usually 6 to 10 minutes. Generally, people have Skinviva once a day, Monday through Friday, for around five weeks. The number of sessions you have will depend on your Skinviva plan.
At your last session, your nurse will go over your follow-up care plan. He or she will also let you know who to contact if you have any questions. Your radiation oncologist will schedule a follow-up appointment shortly after you finish Skinviva.
Usually, there is no preparation needed for your first session. If there is anything specific you need to do, the GenesisCare staff will let you know. If you are feeling unsure about anything or have questions, please feel free to contact us at any time!
This will be different for everyone. You should talk to your doctor and the GenesisCare staff about cost and coverage.
You only need to stay at the GenesisCare office for the length of your appointment (usually about 10 to 15 minutes). We will work with you to arrange an appointment time that fits your schedule.
You may experience some pain or discomfort as your skin begins to react to the treatment. This varies from person to person and the area being treated. Our specialist team will assist you in caring for your skin post-therapy.
The effects of Skinviva manifest differently in all our patients, but expected symptoms include: redness, dryness, itching, localised swelling, pain, ozzing/crusting. These generally indicate that the treatment is working and are therefore not a cause for concern. Your specialist team will be with you every step of the way to help you care for your skin. Longer term effects in some patients include dryness and itching, which can be managed with moisturiser. Some patients will also experience localised alopecia (hair loss), but only in the area that was targeted by radiation. This is something that can be discussed with our specialists.
There are risks and side effects associated with radiation therapy, and you should discuss these with your healthcare provider before deciding if this treatment is right for you.
You will probably notice that your skin will look worse before it looks better. It may be red, dry, and/or irritated, like a sunburn. This is a completely normal response to Skinviva™. The most noticeable reaction usually happens toward the end of your sessions. This reaction will begin subside after the final treatment and may take several weeks to completely resolve. This process is necessary to allow for the destruction of diseased tissue and replacement with underlying healthy cells. Your specialist will give you detailed information on what to expect and when.
Healing time will vary depending on your skin and the area that was treated. It can take several weeks for the treatment reaction to completely resolve. During this time you will be instructed by your specialist team how to take care of your skin.
At your last session, we will schedule a follow-up appointment. After that, you should return to your usual appointments with your primary care provider and/or your dermatologist. You can always call us if you have questions or concerns about Skinviva™ or the area that was treated. We are here to support you as long as you need.
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