May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month—a good time to talk not only about prevention, but also about treatment options for the most diagnosed cancer in the U.S. Treatment choices have expanded in recent years to include a non-invasive method of treating nonmelanoma skin cancers, or basal cell and squamous cell varieties. The Cedar Valley ASCENT (Allergy, Skin Cancer, and Ear Nose and Throat) Clinic of Kenny Rodriguez, MD, sees patients each Monday in the hospital’s Specialty Clinic for skin checks and biopsies for those with concerns about skin cancer. If skin cancer is confirmed through biopsy, treatment options are discussed, including the new image-guided superficial radiation therapy (IG-SRT). This non-surgical treatment uses low-dose x-rays, administered to the skin cancer over multiple sessions, to kill cancer cells, allowing healthy tissue to grow back in its place. How does it work? Once a suspicious spot has been biopsied and found positive for non-melanoma skin cancer, an initial consultation, including an ultrasound image of the cancer, will be scheduled. After that, treatments begin, usually within one week from diagnosis. Ultrasound imaging is used to monitor the cancer at each appointment so treatment may be targeted and progress measured. A typical patient will receive IG-SRT three times weekly for seven weeks. Up to three spots may be treated at one session. 4 New treatment option for skin cancer Image-guided superficial radiation therapy now available at GCMH Specialty Clinic Visiting specialists: Allergy, Skin Cancer, & Ear Nose and Throat Kenny Rodriguez, MD Karen Sadler, ARNP 319-888-8044 Audiology Seema Arab Wilson, AuD 800-728-4327 Cardiology Kari Haislet, DNP, ARNP Micaela Rahm, ARNP 319-236-1911 Dermatology Angela Buttjer, PA-C 800-245-6246 Diabetes & Endocrinology Chitra Reddy, MD Deb Van Dyke, DNP, ARNP 319-222-2750 Gastroenterology/ Hepatology Srinivas Kalala, MD Tracy Elliott, ARNP 319-234-5990 General Surgery/Colonoscopy Paul Burgett, MD, FACS 319-824-5081 Stephen VanBuren, MD, FACS Alison Wilson, MD, FACS 641-752-6391 Maternal Health & Family Planning Allen Women’s Health— Kathi Bower, ARNP, FNP-C 319-235-5090 Mental Wellness Megan Heise, ARNP, PMHNP Carly Pollock, LMHC 319-299-2864 Nephrology T. Michel Daoud, MD Vinay K. Kantamneni, MD 888-397-4575 Oncology Zoe Schult, ARNP 319-233-2701 Ophthalmology/ Cataract Surgery Benjamin Mason, MD 319-277-0103 Orthopedics Robert Bartelt, MD 319-833-5381 Podiatry Stephen Solomon, DPM 319-824-5081 Kenny Rodriguez, MD Cedar Valley ASCENT Clinic Karen Sadler, ARNP Cedar Valley ASCENT Clinic HAVE A SUSPICIOUS MOLE OR OTHER SPOT? Call 319-888-8044 for an appointment with the ASCENT Clinic. Or your primary care provider may refer you to the clinic for IG-SRT after a positive skin cancer biopsy.
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