No surgery
No cutting, no stitches, and no reconstructive surgery — you keep your skin's natural look.
GentleCure® / Image-Guided SRT
Treat skin cancer without going under the knife.
A skin cancer diagnosis is stressful enough. Imagine treating your basal or squamous cell skin cancer without surgery or scarring — with a cure rate above 99%, while keeping your skin’s natural look.
A gentler alternative to surgery
Effective, gentle, and built around your well-being.
With GentleCure® Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy (IG-SRT), you can experience a cure rate above 99% while maintaining your skin’s natural appearance. Choose a treatment that fits your life — and puts your comfort first. It’s one option within Juniper’s full Skin Cancer Center, backed by our board-certified medical dermatology team. GentleCure® at Juniper Dermatology can address:
✓ Basal cell carcinoma
✓ Squamous cell carcinoma
✓ Recurrent or difficult-to-treat skin cancers
✓ Keloid lesions
Why patients choose GentleCure®
Surgery-free skin cancer treatment in Central Oregon.
99.3% cure rate
In a multi-institutional study of 1,632 patients, IG-SRT showed a 99.3% cure rate for early-stage basal and squamous cell skin cancers — comparable to Mohs surgery.*
Covered by insurance
GentleCure® is covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans.
One of 3 in Oregon
Juniper is one of only three locations in all of Oregon offering Image-Guided SRT.
Results you can see in real time
Watch your cancer disappear on-screen.
Our imaging technology lets you see a detailed picture of your cancer during each treatment session — so we can precisely target the tumor, track your progress, and give you confidence in your recovery every step of the way.
Ask if GentleCure® is right for youThe GentleCure® experience
What treatment looks like at Juniper.
A clear picture
Our advanced image-guided SRT system shows a detailed image of your cancer on screen during treatment — so we precisely target the tumor and monitor your progress.
Avoid surgery
No cutting, suturing, or reconstructive surgery. You maintain your normal daily activities throughout the treatment process.
Minimal side effects
Some mild skin irritation is common, but GentleCure® carries a low risk of long-term effects like scarring, skin thinning, or pigment changes.
Convenient sessions
Each session takes about 15 minutes. You'll come in a few times a week over roughly 4–7 weeks to complete your personalized plan.
Excellent for keloids
Beyond skin cancer, GentleCure® is one of the few highly effective solutions available for stubborn keloid scars.
Real patient results
Before & after — real Juniper patients.
Actual, unretouched GentleCure® results. Individual results vary; candidacy is determined during your consultation.
Your treatment experience
Simple, supported, start to finish.
- 01Comprehensive evaluation — we review your pathology report and image your cancer in detail
- 02Build your personalized GentleCure® / IG-SRT plan together
- 03Quick 15-minute sessions, a few times a week over 4–7 weeks
- 04Ongoing imaging check-ins and support at every step
Your care team
Led by a dermatologist, delivered with a dedicated radiation therapist.
Dr. Karla Pivik
Board-certified dermatologist with over 12 years of experience specializing in skin cancer treatment, passionate about effective alternatives that minimize disruption to your daily life.
Hannah Shappell, RT(T)
Registered Radiation Therapist with over a decade treating cancer in Central Oregon. BS in Radiation Therapy (Summa Cum Laude, Texas State University); ARRT-certified and an active member of the ASRT.
Common questions
Skin cancer treatment FAQ.
How does GentleCure® work?
GentleCure® uses advanced imaging to precisely target cancerous cells with a controlled dose of low-energy X-ray, killing the cancer without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Sessions are about 15 minutes, a few times a week over 4–7 weeks.
What are the side effects?
Side effects are minimal — typically temporary redness, swelling, or irritation at the treatment site, usually resolving within 2–6 weeks. There is a low risk of skin thinning or pigment changes, but no scarring or reconstructive surgery.
Is it covered by insurance?
Yes. GentleCure® is covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Our team works with your provider to determine your out-of-pocket costs upfront.
How does it compare to Mohs surgery?
Published data reports a 99.3% cure rate for early-stage basal and squamous cell skin cancers — comparable to Mohs surgery — while avoiding scarring, downtime, and the complications that can come with surgery.*
Can it treat any type of skin cancer?
It is highly effective for the two most common types — basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma — and can also treat keloids and some recurrent or difficult-to-treat skin cancers. It is not used for melanoma.
What if my skin cancer returns?
Recurrence rates are very low. If cancer does return, we can retreat the area with the same gentle technique, and we monitor you closely afterward. Surgical options are discussed only in the rare cases (0.7% or less) where additional treatment doesn't resolve the lesion.
Clinical evidence & sources
The science behind GentleCure®.
GentleCure® / Image-Guided SRT is an FDA-cleared, evidence-based treatment. Explore the published research and official resources below.
- GentleCure® — official patient information The official GentleCure® site from SkinCure Oncology.
- What is Image-Guided SRT? How IG-SRT uses high-definition ultrasound and low-energy X-ray.
- Clinical study overview & cure rate Retrospective review of 1,632 patients / 2,917 lesions — 99.3% cure rate.
- Peer-reviewed publications The published science behind IG-SRT.
- Study: IG-SRT 99.3% cure rate (Applied Radiation Oncology) Independent coverage of the multi-institutional effectiveness data.
Bend & Redmond · Central Oregon
Explore a surgery-free path — this week.
Find out whether GentleCure® is right for your skin cancer with a dermatologist-led consultation.