Bringing Superficial Radiation Therapy into Your Dermatology Practice: A Personal Journey
By: Dr. John Q. Binhlam, Advanced Skin & Laser Center, in Brentwood, Tennessee
The decision to expand your dermatology practice to include superficial radiation therapy (SRT) is not one to be taken lightly. As dermatologists, our primary goal is always the well-being of our patients—and any new technology requires thought, planning, and a commitment to continuing education.
For me, the journey to bringing superficial radiation therapy into my practice was an eight-year process, beginning in 2012. I vividly remember becoming aware of one of the first SRT devices on the market and wondering: Which of my patients with non-melanoma skin cancer would benefit most? Did I even have enough patients to justify the cost and operational changes needed?
One of my primary concerns was whether introducing SRT would cannibalize my Mohs surgery practice, since Mohs is a significant part of what I do. I quickly discovered that the opposite was true. Patients began seeking me out specifically because I offered both surgical and non-surgical options. Rather than limiting my practice, adding SRT expanded my reach in the community and gave patients more choice in their care.
I also questioned whether offering radiation therapy would place me outside my scope or cause friction with other medical specialists. But as I engaged in conversations with colleagues in radiation oncology, it became clear that the volume of skin cancer cases far exceeds what radiation or surgical oncologists can manage alone. Instead of being viewed as an outlier, I found support and appreciation for providing a much-needed service. Collaboration is still key—there are certainly cases where I refer to my oncology partners for more advanced tumors—but the addition of SRT has allowed me to take excellent care of a broader range of skin cancer patients.
Of course, adding radiation technology involves significant educational, operational, and logistical steps. The thought of revisiting radiation training after many years—plus educating and reassuring my staff about safety—felt daunting at first. But these barriers turned out to be manageable with the right planning and vendor support.
In the end, the factors that mattered most to me were:
- · Patient demand: Many patients welcome a non-surgical option.
- · Practice growth: SRT expanded my patient base rather than replacing surgery.
- · Collaboration opportunities: SRT complements, rather than replaces, my relationships with oncologists.
With thoughtful planning and support, SRT can become a valuable and seamless addition to your dermatology practice and also a benefit to your patients.
Hear more about Dr. Binhlam’s considerations in selecting SRT with Radiant Aura by watching this short, 5-minute clip.
About Radiant Aura:
Radiant Aura is a small, easy-to-position radiation therapy system that enables dermatologists to deliver non-invasive treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer in the office. It is perfectly suited for sensitive areas, including hard-to-reach areas on the head and neck. Radiant Aura provides both superficial radiation therapy and electronic brachytherapy based on the needs of the patient. Click here to learn more about Radiant Aura.
