Grenz rays: an alternative treatment for superficial skin cancers in elderly patients

Abstract

Grenz rays are electromagnetic waves (i.e., x-rays of very low energy and situated in the electromagnetic spectrum between UV and x-rays). This kind of x-ray is suitable for very superficial processes in the skin. This means that lesions up to a thickness of 1 mm can be irradiated. For these reasons, chronic dermatoses, precancerous lesions or superficial skin cancers can be treated. Since the introduction of this very superficial and low-energy treatment modality, Grenz rays have shown no serious side effects. Good indications for a Grenz ray treatment are psoriasis of the scalp and of the nails, chronic eczemas, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis, Bowen’s disease, Paget’s disease, lentigo maligna, superficial basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The only side effects are slight hypo-/hyper-pigmentation of the skin and it has to be noticed that there is no hair loss after Grenz ray treatment, and no side effects to deeper situated structures.