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Non-surgical skin cancer treatment · London

Superficial radiotherapy for skin cancer London.

A low-energy X-ray radiotherapy that treats BCC, SCC, keloid and Kaposi's without a scalpel. Delivered on an SRT-100 or Xoft applicator, in 10 to 15 minute fractions, with cure rates comparable to surgery.

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A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

What SRT is

Low-energy X-rays that stop in the skin.

Superficial radiotherapy uses a 50 to 100 kVp X-ray beam that penetrates only 2 to 5 mm into the skin. It is ideal for superficial non-melanoma skin cancer where surgery is either inappropriate or would leave a poor cosmetic result. Delivered on an SRT-100 (Sensus Healthcare) or as electronic brachytherapy via the Xoft Axxent 50 kV Photon Balloon applicator, it requires no anaesthetic, no incision and no downtime. NICE Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG641 supports its use in selected cases.

Who it helps

Indications recognised in the UK.

Evidence supports SRT for a defined group of cutaneous lesions. Selection is made jointly by a consultant dermatologist and a consultant clinical oncologist.

  • BCC on the face, ears, lip, hands

    Basal cell carcinoma where surgical scarring gives a poor cosmetic result, particularly on the nose, eyelid, ear cartilage, lip vermillion and the back of the hand.

  • SCC in cosmetically sensitive sites

    Well-defined cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma where excision would require a graft or flap, or where the patient prefers a non-surgical option.

  • Nodular BCC unsuitable for surgery

    Thicker nodular BCC where surgery is declined or not appropriate on medical grounds. SRT penetrates 2 to 5 mm and treats the lesion in full.

  • Recurrent BCC and SCC

    Recurrence in a previously excised or previously irradiated field, where a further surgical scar is undesirable and reirradiation is technically possible.

  • Keloid scar, adjuvant post-excision

    A single 15 to 20 Gy fraction within 24 to 48 hours of keloid excision, to reduce recurrence at the surgical site.

  • Kaposi's sarcoma cutaneous lesions

    Palliative or definitive treatment of cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma plaques and nodules, where systemic therapy is not indicated.

  • Lentigo maligna in selected cases

    A non-surgical option for elderly patients with facial lentigo maligna where wide local excision would be disfiguring.

  • Elderly or frail patients

    Patients where general anaesthetic or long surgical procedures carry disproportionate risk, or where wound care would be difficult.

Evidence and delivery

What the data says, and what a course looks like.

For BCC, five-year local control is 95% or better, comparable to surgical excision. For SCC the range is 80 to 95%, depending on lesion size and differentiation. NICE Technology Appraisal TA458 approves electronic brachytherapy for selected indications.

  • Fractionation

    Typical courses are 20 to 30 fractions over 4 to 6 weeks. Hypofractionated 5-fraction weekly schedules are offered to elderly or frail patients. Keloid adjuvant treatment is a single 15 to 20 Gy fraction.

  • Each visit

    A day-case appointment of 10 to 15 minutes including setup. No anaesthetic. Protective shielding is placed around the lesion. No wound care afterwards.

  • On-treatment skin

    Mild pinkness and dryness through the course, occasionally moist desquamation in the final week, managed with aqueous cream and hydrocolloid dressings if needed.

  • Long-term cosmesis

    Excellent short and medium-term result with no scar. Hypopigmentation and fine telangiectasia may appear from year 5 onwards, but overall cosmesis on the face is often better than surgery.

Indicative pricing

What private SRT costs in London.

All-inclusive private figures. NHS patients access SRT free at specialist radiotherapy centres, though waiting lists vary by trust.

Pathway Indicative range
Standard SRT course, 20 to 30 fractions £3,500–£6,500
Hypofractionated 5-fraction weekly course £1,800–£3,500
Keloid adjuvant single-fraction course £2,400–£4,500
Dermatology and clinical oncology review £300–£550

Where you can be treated

Private and NHS radiotherapy centres offering SRT in London.

A dedicated dermatology radiotherapy suite is not universal. We list only centres with a genuine skin service.

  • GenesisCare London Cromwell — dedicated skin radiotherapy suite

  • HCA The Wellington Radiotherapy Centre

  • Rutherford Cancer Centres

  • Royal Marsden Private

  • Amethyst Radiotherapy Queen Square

  • London Bridge Hospital Radiotherapy

Compared to

SRT alongside Mohs, PDT and cryotherapy.

Each option has a place. The right answer depends on lesion type, site, patient preference and how many visits are practical.

  • Mohs micrographic surgery

    Highest cure rate, most tissue-sparing single-visit option, but leaves a scar. First choice for high-risk facial BCC where cosmesis and complete removal both matter.

  • Superficial radiotherapy

    No scar, excellent cure, no anaesthetic. Requires 20 to 30 visits (or 5 in hypofractionated). Best for cosmetically sensitive sites and frail patients.

  • Photodynamic therapy

    Two visits, good cosmesis, suitable only for superficial BCC and actinic keratosis. Not for nodular or invasive lesions.

  • Cryotherapy

    Cheap, single-visit, but recurrence rates are higher than SRT, Mohs or excision. Reserved for very small superficial BCC or actinic keratosis.

Frequently asked

Everything patients ask about SRT.

  • How does the cure rate compare with Mohs surgery?

    For well-selected BCC, five-year local control with superficial radiotherapy is 95% or above, which is comparable to standard surgical excision. Mohs micrographic surgery gives the highest cure rate of any modality at around 99% for primary BCC because margins are checked microscopically during the procedure. SRT is chosen where cosmetic outcome, patient frailty, or surgical difficulty tips the balance away from Mohs.

  • Will my private medical insurance cover it?

    Most major UK insurers, including Bupa, AXA, Vitality and Aviva, cover superficial radiotherapy where clinical evidence supports it, typically for histologically confirmed BCC or SCC recommended by a consultant clinical oncologist or dermatologist. Cover for keloid adjuvant SRT is variable and often needs pre-authorisation. We confirm cover in writing before you commit.

  • What will the treated area look like afterwards?

    Cosmetic outcome is excellent in the short and medium term, with no surgical scar. During treatment the skin becomes pink and dry. Over the following weeks it heals to a slightly paler patch. In year 5 and beyond, some patients develop hypopigmentation and fine telangiectasia within the treated field. For most facial sites, long-term cosmesis is better than surgery.

  • Is SRT suitable for elderly or frail patients?

    Yes, and this is one of its main advantages. Each fraction takes 10 to 15 minutes, requires no anaesthetic, no incision and no wound care. Hypofractionated 5-fraction weekly schedules further reduce the number of hospital visits, making SRT a good option for patients who cannot tolerate surgery or a lengthy course.

  • How does keloid radiotherapy work?

    The keloid is excised by a plastic surgeon, and within 24 to 48 hours a single 15 to 20 Gy fraction of superficial radiotherapy is delivered to the surgical site. This suppresses the fibroblast overgrowth that drives keloid formation and reduces recurrence from around 70% with surgery alone to under 20%.

  • How many hospital visits will I need?

    A standard course is 20 to 30 daily fractions Monday to Friday over 4 to 6 weeks. A hypofractionated course is 5 weekly fractions over 5 weeks. Keloid adjuvant treatment is a single fraction. The first visit includes a planning consultation and simulation, which takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Related treatments

Explore the alternatives.

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