How to Choose Mohs or SRT (Superficial Radiation Therapy) for Skin Cancer Treatment

Have you been diagnosed with skin cancer and wondering about your treatment options?

Mohs surgery and superficial radiation therapy (SRT) are the two most effective skin cancer treatments and are also the most common. Both treatments have a success rate of 95 percent or above.

So, the question is how to choose Mohs or SRT if they are both viable options for your type of skin cancer.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

If you worried about having surgery because of the scarring, Mohs surgery may be right for you. The procedure is extremely precise and therefore results in less noticeable scaring. For this reason, it is typically used on areas of the body that are seen most often.

This procedure is also used for spots that have the highest likelihood of recurring or for spots that were previously removed by a different method and have returned. Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate, which is up to 99%. 

What Is Superficial Radiation Therapy?

Superficial radiation therapy, or SRT, has a cure rate of 95% to 98% and is an alternative to surgery. SRT can be used to remove basal and squamous cell skin cancer.

SRT is used to treat non-melanoma skin cancer and can only be used to treat the surface of the skin, as the low energy radiotherapy does not go past the thickness of your skin.

With SRT, you will need multiple sessions in order for the procedure to properly and completely work.

How to Choose Mohs or SRT – Talk to Your Skin Cancer Specialist

As with any medical procedure, only you and your doctor can make the decision on which is the best fit for you.

If you have any questions about skin cancer treatment, or to schedule a consultation, please call us today at 301-396-3401.

When you receive a skin cancer diagnosis, it can be a confusing and anxious time. Let us help put your mind at ease!