When skin cancer develops in highly visible or delicate areas of the body, treatment decisions often involve more than simply removing the cancer. Patients may also worry about scarring, cosmetic changes, wound healing, or preserving normal function.

At New Mexico Cancer Center, we offer surface/superficial brachytherapy, also known as High-Dose-Rate (HDR) brachytherapy — an advanced, non-surgical radiation treatment for certain skin cancers that delivers targeted treatment directly to the affected area while helping spare surrounding healthy tissue.

Surface brachytherapy can be an excellent option for skin cancers located on sensitive areas such as the:

• Face
• Nose
• Lips
• Ears
• Eyelids
• Scalp
• Hands
• Lower legs or shins

It may be especially valuable in areas where surgery could leave a noticeable scar or where healing can be difficult.

What Is Surface Brachytherapy?

Surface brachytherapy is a highly targeted form of radiation therapy that delivers radiation directly to the surface of the skin using a specialized applicator placed over the treatment area.

Unlike traditional external radiation that passes through larger areas of tissue, surface brachytherapy focuses radiation precisely where it is needed. This allows physicians to treat skin cancer while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue.

Treatment is:

• Non-surgical
• Outpatient
• Painless during delivery
• Typically completed in a short series of treatments

Why Patients Consider Surface for Skin Cancer

For many patients, one of the biggest concerns with skin cancer treatment is what happens after the cancer is removed.

Surface brachytherapy may help:

• Minimize visible scarring
• Preserve appearance in cosmetically sensitive areas
• Avoid surgery in delicate locations
• Reduce concerns about wound healing
• Treat patients who may not be good surgical candidates

This can be particularly important for cancers located on the face, where maintaining appearance and function matters deeply, or on areas like the shin or lower leg, where surgical wounds can sometimes heal slowly.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Surface brachytherapy is commonly used to treat certain:

• Basal cell carcinomas
• Squamous cell carcinomas
• Non-melanoma skin cancers

Your physician will determine whether surface brachytherapy is appropriate based on the type, size, depth, and location of the cancer.

What Treatment Is Like

During treatment, a custom applicator is placed over the skin cancer site. Radiation is then delivered directly to the area with extreme precision over a short period of time.

Most treatments:

• Last only a few minutes
• Are performed on an outpatient basis
• Require no anesthesia
• Allow patients to return to normal activities afterward

The number of treatments varies depending on the location and type of skin cancer.

Precision Treatment with a Personalized Approach

At New Mexico Cancer Center, our radiation oncology team combines advanced treatment technology with personalized care designed around each patient’s needs and goals.

For patients concerned about scarring, healing, or preserving appearance and quality of life, surface brachytherapy may offer an effective alternative to surgery for select skin cancers.

Learn More About Surface Brachytherapy for Skin Cancer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with skin cancer and want to explore non-surgical treatment options, our team is here to help.