Duration of Radiotherapy Sessions for Skin Cancer
Individual radiotherapy sessions for skin cancer typically last only a few minutes (approximately 5-15 minutes per session), though the total treatment course extends over several weeks with multiple sessions. The actual radiation delivery time is brief, but the overall treatment schedule varies based on tumor size, location, and fractionation scheme selected.
Treatment Schedule Framework
The duration and frequency of radiotherapy depends on the fractionation regimen chosen by the radiation oncologist:
For Small Tumors (<2 cm)
Multiple fractionation options exist, ranging from hypofractionated (fewer, larger doses) to conventional fractionation (more sessions with smaller doses): 1
- Ultra-hypofractionated: 35 Gy in 5 fractions over 5 days (1 week total)
- Moderately hypofractionated: 50 Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks
- Standard hypofractionated: 55 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks
- Conventional fractionation: 64 Gy in 32 fractions over 6-6.4 weeks
For Larger Tumors (≥2 cm)
Larger tumors typically require more protracted treatment schedules: 1
- 55 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks
- 66 Gy in 33 fractions over 6-6.6 weeks
Individual Session Duration
Each individual treatment session involves only brief radiation exposure (typically 1-5 minutes of actual beam-on time), though the entire appointment may take 15-30 minutes when accounting for patient positioning, setup verification, and quality assurance. 1
The treatment is delivered daily (Monday through Friday) in most conventional schedules, with weekends off. 1
Important Clinical Considerations
Protracted fractionation schedules (more sessions with smaller doses per fraction) are associated with improved cosmetic results compared to hypofractionated regimens. 1 This is particularly important for cosmetically sensitive areas like the face.
For palliative treatment or cutaneous lymphomas, even shorter courses may be appropriate: 1
- Single fractions of 7-8 Gy can be effective and convenient, though they limit re-treatment options
- Low-dose palliative regimens: 12 Gy in 3 fractions for symptomatic tumors
- 20 Gy in 10 fractions for larger treatment areas
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Patients often confuse the brief individual session duration with the total treatment course duration. Clear communication is essential—while each visit is quick, the commitment involves daily treatments over weeks. 1
Radiation therapy is generally reserved for patients over 60 years due to concerns about long-term sequelae in younger patients. 1 This age consideration should factor into treatment planning discussions.
The choice between hypofractionated and conventional fractionation should balance convenience (fewer sessions) against cosmetic outcomes (better with more fractions) and the patient's ability to attend daily treatments. 1