Principles of Radiotherapy

Abstract Radiotherapy has been used for over a century to treat skin malignancies and still has a curative role to play in a number of different skin pathologies, as well as in adjuvant and palliative settings and where lack of patient fitness or reserve precludes extensive surgery. It is also finding new roles, as in its use in stereotactic radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases. The potential uses of radiotherapy provide additional options within the multidisciplinary skin cancer team meeting and helps optimise individual skin cancer management plans. Its use is not without morbidities, whose management have also to be considered.