What Is SXRT?
SXRT is the accurate delivery of a prescribed dose of radiation using low energy x-rays to a defined target area. We use the Xstrahl machine to produce radiation.
The energy range or our x-rays are between 50-100 kV. At this energy we can limit the effective dose of radiation to a depth of 2mm and 9mm.
This makes SXRT a perfect solution for skin cancers of any size provided they are less than 10mm thick.
How It Compares To Other Radiation
Compared to other radiation SXRT is:
- able to the smallest volume of skin
- more cost effective
- easier to deliver
- quicker
- safer
How Does SXRT Kill Cancer?
SXRT produces a beam of ionising radiation. When this radiation (x- ray) beam interacts with cancer DNA it damages the DNA and the cancer cells irreversibly:
- The damaged cancer cells eventually die by apoptosis.
- The leftover cancer cell debris is cleared up by the immune system
- The cancers disappear with SXRT leaving minimal scarring.
What Happens During Treatment
On the first day of treatment, you will be greeted by a radiation therapist (RT) who will welcome you and make you feel comfortable. The RT will then:
- Explain the procedure
- Reproduce the markup you had on the first day of the consultation and confirm the script, your name, the site to be treated
- Position the x-ray machine and the treatment applicator so that the applicator rests against the area to be treated.
Sometimes shielding is placed over the treated site or over the eyes to add additional tissue protection. If the nose is being treated, the inside of the nose may be packed with gauze. Once the applicator is in place the RT will leave the room and start the x-ray treatment.
Treatment is painless, just like any x-ray you may have had in the past. Treatment takes less than 1minute.
At the completion of treatment all the shielding and applicators will be removed. You can go home after treatment- you are not radioactive or dangerous and there is no restriction on your activity after treatment.
This procedure is repeated for the number of times prescribed by your clinician. If any skin care is required this will be offered by either the RT, a clinical nurse or the clinician.
Always feel free to ask questions.