New skin patch using P-32 shows promise in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

A customized patch treatment for basal cell carcinoma completely destroys facial tumors without surgery or major radiation therapy in 80% of patients studied, researchers reported at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 2012 Annual Meeting (June 9, 2012, Miami Beach, USA). Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer that affects the surface layer of the skin. Researchers have developed a treatment called a phosphorus-32 (P-32) skin patch, a radiation spot-treatment in the form of a patch that can safely and easily kill cancerous cells in the skin with a few easy outpatient appointments. This therapy is ideal for patients with skin cancers that are very difficult to operate on, especially if skin grafting after surgery would be a challenge. Read more.