Overview
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is the use of ionizing radiation to destroy tissue. Physicians commonly use radiotherapy to treat cancer and other malignancies. In some cases, physicians may use radiotherapy to treat hypertrophic and keloid scars.
Detailed Description
During radiotherapy, a technician aims a beam of low-dose radiation directly at the scar surface on the skin. It is important to realize that the level of radiation technicians utilize for scar therapy is much lower than the level they use for treating other conditions. Using radiotherapy to treat scars has mixed outcomes, varying according to different health care professionals. The combination of certain kinds of radiation and surgical scar revision result in a low recurrence of scar tissue. The results of radiation therapy alone reduce the recurrence about fifty percent of the time, according to some studies.
Radiation therapy remains a controversial scar therapy. While radiation prevents cell division and DNA development in human tissue, it also contains some additional risk. Some studies postulate that using radiation therapy on scar tissue presents risk of skin cancer. In choosing a scar therapy, patients should carefully consider all of their options, along with their personal medical history, and weigh them against potential side effects.
Last updated: 19-May-04
