Finally, there is a non-invasive alternative to Mohs surgery that actually works in treating non-melanoma skin cancer!  Superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is used to attack non-melanoma skin cancer cells at the source without cutting the skin.  There is no downtime and patients can return to their everyday lives right after treatment.  Although this technology is not new, in the last half decade it has become available in a non-hospital setting providing easy, quick treatments to fit into your week.  As a board certified radiation therapist with almost 20 years experience, let me provide you with some exciting information on this treatment of choice.  

Radiation therapy has historically been used in the fight against cancer.  Traditional radiation machines are used to power deep into the body and stop the growth of cancer cells on important organs.  But what if your largest organ, your skin,  is the one affected, and it’s located right on the outside of your body?  That’s where superficial radiation therapy comes in.  This type of radiation is only meant to treat certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers.   Its radiation is gentle enough to not reach or harm surrounding body parts, but powerful enough to put cancer cells in their place.   With a cure rate of 95-98%, this cancer fighting modality provides no downtime to the patient, no scarring, no permanent disfiguring of your body, and only penetrates about as deep as a few hairs on your head.   

Appointment visits are fast and easy, with radiation delivery time about 30 seconds for each visit.  Visits run 2-3 times per week, for about 13-16 visits in total.  Over these visits, the radiation is altering the DNA of the cancer cells, changing its plans to replicate into more cancer cells.  That’s why multiple visits are required, to ensure we reach every cell at every life stage.  When the treatment is complete, your skin will fade back to its normal appearance with no scars from surgery left behind.   And the best part, there is no fatigue, nausea, or hair loss outside the treatment field from this type of radiation.   

Patients often ask me, “Why don’t other dermatologists offer this?”  My answer- Dr. Connolly believes in offering other methods of treatment besides Mohs surgery.  He believes you shouldn’t be scarred from your skin cancer, and that there should be an easy option to fit into your life and schedule.  We have six convenient locations offering this leading edge skin cancer treatment.   All locations boast state of the art equipment and technology, utilizing ultrasound imaging to localize and identify the skin cancer inside the skin.   All of our radiation therapists are highly trained from prestigious cancer institutions throughout the tri-state area.   I welcome you to stop in and meet our friendly faces and see what this non-invasive, non-surgical cancer fighting tool is all about.  



Lisa Adams, B.S.R.T.(T) is a licensed and board certified radiation therapist with 20 years of experience in her field.  She received her National Board Certification through the American Registry of Radiation Technology.  She completed her therapy training with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NYU Hospital, and NY Methodist Hospital, specializing in superficial radiation therapy and proton therapy.  She joined Connolly Dermatology in 2020 and as Director of Radiation Therapy serves a dual role, offering patient SRT care and overseeing the SRT program. In her personal time, Lisa enjoys her family, being a mother, and living at the Jersey shore.