Orthovoltage radiotherapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC): Comparison between 2 different schedules

Background Radiotherapy is an established treatment for some types of patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer. A hypofractionated schedule has been proposed as a valuable option for elderly disabled patients to minimize the number of hospital visits. Objective We sought to compare a weekly hypofractionated orthovoltage radiotherapy regimen with a standard daily one for the treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on 436 tumors. Overall survival, disease-free survival, and cosmetic outcome were measured. Life-table analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariate Cox regression model were performed. Results The hypofractionated regimen was not associated with increased recurrence rates and mortality, or with a poorer cosmetic outcome, when compared with the daily schedule. Limitations Absence of complete information about acute treatment toxicity and a shorter follow-up time for patients receiving the weekly schedule are limitations of this study. Conclusions A weekly hypofractionated regimen of orthovoltage radiotherapy seems to be the most appropriate approach in elderly disabled patients with nonmelanoma skin cancers.