Benign diseases can cause disfigurations that can make patients feel extremely self-conscious and uncomfortable. We offer treatment for benign diseases, including two of the most common disorders; Pterygium and keloid scars.

Pterygium

A pterygium is a thickening of conjunctiva onto the cornea on one or both sides of the eye. The growth can slowly progress until it seriously impacts vision. A pterygium can be removed by surgery, but it often grows back during the healing process. Using a brachytherapy form of radiation treatments to the affected region of the eye after surgery can prevent the membrane growths from recurring. The procedure involves up to three treatments, all occurring within a two week span after your surgery. The radiation is delivered only to the surface of the eye and the dose to the lens of the eye is very low. The procedure is painless. After the procedure, you’ll wear an eye patch for about an hour to protect the eye from dust.

Keloids

Keloid scars form when tissue overgrowths occur with healing wounds. Essentially a tumor, they can be extremely uncomfortable, unsightly, and can become infected. They tend to be more prevalent in people with highly pigmented skin tones. Keloids can be treated with External Beam Radiotherapy (EBRT) using electron energy emitted from a linear accelerator. Electrons effectively treat the affected areas without penetrating so deeply into the body to affect internal organs.

For more information, please view the following websites:

• Cancer Net at http://www.cancer.net/portal/site/patient
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) at http://www.cancer.gov/
• American Cancer Society at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp