If you have recently been diagnosed with skin cancer, the word “surgery” can feel overwhelming. The good news is that surgery is not the only path forward. For many patients with the most common types of skin cancer, a non-surgical treatment called superficial radiation therapy, or SRT, offers an effective alternative with no cutting, no stitches, and excellent cosmetic results.

At Thomas Dermatology, we believe patients deserve to understand every option available to them before making a decision. This guide explains what superficial radiation therapy is, how it works, who it is right for, and what to expect, so you can have an informed conversation with your care team about whether it might be the right choice for you.

What Is Superficial Radiation Therapy?

Superficial radiation therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses low-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells in the upper layers of the skin. Because the radiation only penetrates a shallow depth, it treats the tumor effectively while preserving the healthy tissue and structures underneath.

SRT is used primarily to treat the two most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). These two cancers make up the large majority of all skin cancer diagnoses, and both respond well to radiation in appropriately selected patients.

The treatment works by delivering controlled doses of energy directly to the affected area. This damages the cancer cells and stops them from growing and dividing. Over the following weeks, the treated cells die off and are naturally cleared by the body.

It is worth being clear about one thing: surgical approaches like Mohs micrographic surgery remain the gold standard for many skin cancers, and for good reason. But radiation therapy is a well-established, evidence-based alternative that has been used in medicine for decades, and for the right patient it can be the better choice. You can read more about both approaches on our Radiation Therapy page and our Mohs Micrographic Surgery page.

How Is SRT Different from Surgery?

The most common surgical treatment for skin cancer is Mohs surgery, where the cancer is removed layer by layer and examined under a microscope until no cancer cells remain. It has very high cure rates and is often the right call, especially for larger, recurrent, or high-risk tumors.

Superficial radiation therapy takes a completely different approach. Instead of removing the tumor with a scalpel, it uses targeted energy to destroy the cancer cells in place. The key differences for patients are:

No incisions or stitches. Because nothing is cut, there is no surgical wound to heal and no stitches to remove.

No surgical scar. Radiation does not cut the skin, so it does not create a surgical scar. Cosmetic outcomes are often excellent, which matters a great deal for cancers on the face.

No anesthesia required. Treatment is painless and does not require local or general anesthesia.

Minimal downtime. There is no real recovery period in the way there is after surgery. Most patients continue their normal daily activities throughout treatment.

The tradeoff is that radiation is delivered over multiple sessions across several weeks, rather than in a single surgical appointment. For some patients that schedule is a worthwhile exchange for avoiding surgery. For others, surgery makes more sense. The right answer depends on your specific situation.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Radiation Therapy?

Superficial radiation therapy is not right for everyone, and a careful evaluation is always the first step. That said, it may be a strong option if you:

1. Have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma
2. Prefer to avoid surgery for personal reasons
3. Are not an ideal surgical candidate due to age, medical conditions, or medications such as blood thinners
4. Have a tumor in a cosmetically or functionally sensitive area like the nose, ears, eyelids, or lips
5. Have a recurrent skin cancer that has come back after a previous treatment
6. Need post-surgical radiation to lower the risk of a high-risk tumor returning

Radiation is particularly effective for superficial, well-defined tumors, and it can deliver excellent cosmetic results in areas where surgery might otherwise affect appearance or function. This is one of the reasons it is such a valuable option for facial skin cancers.

What to Expect During Treatment

Understanding the process ahead of time takes a lot of the anxiety out of it. Here is how treatment typically works at Thomas Dermatology.

Step one: Consultation and evaluation. You meet with our dermatology and radiation oncology team to confirm your diagnosis and determine whether radiation therapy is appropriate for your specific cancer. This is also your chance to ask questions and understand all of your options.

Step two: Treatment planning. If radiation is right for you, the team assesses your tumor type, depth, location, and size, along with your medical history. From there, a customized treatment plan is created to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

Step three: Treatment sessions. Treatment is typically delivered twice per week over the course of several weeks. Each session takes only a few minutes, and the treatment itself is non-invasive and painless. Patients often describe it as feeling similar to having an X-ray taken.

Throughout the process, our team monitors your skin and your response to treatment closely, adjusting as needed and watching for any side effects.

Benefits and Risks to Understand

Like any medical treatment, radiation therapy has both benefits and potential risks, and a good care team will walk you through both honestly.

The benefits that draw many patients to SRT include that it is non-surgical and non-invasive, requires no stitches or surgical downtime, delivers excellent cosmetic outcomes especially on the face, achieves high local control rates often above 90% in appropriate cases, and is suitable for patients with complex medical conditions who may not tolerate surgery well.

The potential side effects are usually mild and temporary. They can include mild skin irritation such as redness, dryness, or peeling in the treated area, temporary swelling or tenderness, and changes in skin pigment where the treated skin becomes lighter or darker. Rare long-term effects can include scarring or fibrosis, and there is a very rare risk of a secondary skin change in the treated area over time. Our team carefully monitors every patient to keep risks as low as possible and to ensure treatment is delivered safely.

The most important takeaway is that the decision between radiation and surgery should always be made together with a qualified dermatologist who can weigh your specific tumor, your health, and your preferences.

Why Patients Across Las Vegas and Henderson Choose Thomas Dermatology

Skin cancer treatment is not a place to compromise on expertise. For more than 30 years, Thomas Dermatology has provided medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology care across the Las Vegas Valley and Arizona, and our founder Dr. Douglas Thomas is a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon.

What sets our skin cancer care apart is that we offer both surgical and non-surgical options under one roof, with a collaborative dermatology and radiation oncology approach. That means your treatment recommendation is based on what is genuinely best for you, not simply on the one procedure a practice happens to offer. We give patients the full picture, access to advanced radiation technologies, and the time to make a confident, informed decision.

With locations across Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, and Centennial Hills, plus our Cosmetic and Surgical Center, expert skin cancer care is close to home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is superficial radiation therapy a good alternative to Mohs surgery?

For many patients with basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, yes. SRT can be an excellent non-surgical alternative, particularly for those who wish to avoid surgery, are not ideal surgical candidates, or have tumors in cosmetically sensitive areas. The best choice depends on your specific tumor and health, which is why an evaluation with a dermatologist is essential.

Does radiation therapy for skin cancer hurt?

No. The treatment itself is painless and feels similar to having an X-ray taken. There are no incisions, needles, or anesthesia involved in the radiation sessions.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

Most patients undergo treatment over several weeks, typically with short sessions about twice per week. Your exact schedule is determined by your customized treatment plan based on the type, size, and location of your skin cancer.

Will I have a scar after radiation therapy?

Because radiation does not involve cutting the skin, it does not create a surgical scar. Cosmetic results are often excellent, which is one of the reasons it is a popular option for skin cancers on the face.

Is radiation therapy for skin cancer safe?

Yes. When performed under proper guidelines by an experienced team, superficial radiation therapy is a safe and well-established treatment with decades of clinical use. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, and your care team monitors you closely throughout.

Can radiation be used after skin cancer surgery?

Yes. Radiation is sometimes used after surgery for high-risk tumors to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. Your dermatologist can explain whether this applies to your situation.

Does Thomas Dermatology offer radiation therapy in Las Vegas?

Yes. Thomas Dermatology offers superficial radiation therapy as part of our comprehensive skin cancer care, with locations across Las Vegas and Henderson. You can learn more on our radiation therapy page or schedule a consultation to discuss your options.

If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer or you are exploring alternatives to surgery, our team is here to help you understand every option. Schedule a consultation at Thomas Dermatology, or view our locations across Las Vegas, Henderson, and Arizona.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified dermatologist about your specific condition.