The diagnosis fits
A biopsy has confirmed a basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or SCC in situ that a dermatologist considers appropriate for radiation treatment.
Skin Cancer Center · GentleCure® candidacy
Am I a Candidate for GentleCure® IG-SRT?
GentleCure® may be considered for selected biopsy-proven basal and squamous cell skin cancers. Pathology, tumor risk, depth, location, prior treatment, health, preferences, and the ability to attend repeated visits all matter.
The short answer
Candidacy begins with the pathology—not the treatment name.
You may be a candidate if your biopsy confirms an appropriate early-stage basal or squamous cell carcinoma and your dermatologist determines that Image-Guided SRT is medically reasonable. It is not used for melanoma, and surgery remains preferred for many tumors.
When it may fit
GentleCure® may be reasonable when the diagnosis, tumor, and patient all fit.
Avoiding an incision matters
Age, frailty, medical conditions, healing concerns, or other individual factors may make a non-surgical approach worth considering.
The tumor fits
The pathology, depth, location, prior treatment, and risk features support IG-SRT as a medically reasonable option.
The schedule is practical
You can attend repeated treatment visits over several weeks and complete the recommended follow-up.
When surgery may lead
A non-surgical option is not automatically the right option.
Surgery removes the tumor and provides pathologic margin information. That can be especially important for aggressive, recurrent, deeply invasive, poorly defined, or otherwise high-risk cancers.
✓ Melanoma or another cancer requiring surgical excision, staging, or nodal evaluation
✓ A high-risk, deeply invasive, aggressive, recurrent, or complex tumor where margin assessment is especially important
✓ A tumor whose pathology, size, location, or previous treatment makes radiation a poor fit
✓ A situation where one surgical treatment day is more practical than multiple radiation visits
✓ When long-term radiation effects, future treatment choices, or individual health factors favor surgery
Come prepared
Questions to ask at your visit.
✓ What exactly did my pathology report show?
✓ Is this tumor low-, moderate-, or high-risk—and why?
✓ Which treatments are medically reasonable for this lesion?
✓ Would surgery provide an important advantage through margin assessment?
✓ How many IG-SRT visits would I need, and what skin reaction should I expect?
✓ How will we monitor the site after treatment?
✓ What will my insurance likely cover, and what could I owe?
Common questions
GentleCure® candidacy FAQ.
Which skin cancers may be treated with GentleCure®?
Image-Guided SRT may be considered for selected biopsy-proven basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Pathology, tumor risk, depth, location, prior treatment, and your health all matter.
Is GentleCure® used for melanoma?
No. Melanoma follows a surgical and staging pathway rather than GentleCure®. A melanoma diagnosis needs prompt, pathology-directed treatment planning.
Can I choose GentleCure® instead of surgery?
Your preference matters, but it is not the only factor. Some tumors are better treated surgically because surgery provides margin assessment, can be completed in one procedure, or better fits the tumor's risk features.
How many visits does GentleCure® require?
A course commonly requires several short visits each week over multiple weeks. Your exact schedule depends on the plan. Travel, work, mobility, and reliable follow-up should be considered before choosing it.
Does GentleCure® leave no scar?
GentleCure® avoids a surgical incision and stitches, so there is no surgical scar. Treated skin can still become red, irritated, crusted, lighter or darker, or develop longer-term texture or blood-vessel changes.
Is GentleCure® covered by Medicare or insurance?
Coverage depends on the diagnosis, medical necessity, plan, and current payer rules. Juniper can verify benefits and discuss expected patient responsibility before treatment; verification is not a guarantee of payment.
Clinical sources
Guidance and evidence behind this page.
Independent clinical guidance is listed before device-specific outcome literature.
- American Academy of Dermatology — Basal Cell Carcinoma Guidelines of Care Professional guidance for basal cell carcinoma treatment.
- American Academy of Dermatology — Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Guidelines of Care Professional guidance for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treatment.
- National Cancer Institute — Skin Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) Evidence-based professional summary of skin cancer treatment options.
- American Cancer Society — Radiation Therapy for Basal and Squamous Cell Skin Cancers Patient information on when radiation may be used and possible side effects.
- Tran et al. — Image-Guided Superficial Radiation Therapy Outcomes Retrospective IG-SRT outcomes study published in 2023.
Bend & Redmond · Central Oregon
Bring your pathology report. We’ll help you understand the options.
Evaluation is available in Bend and Redmond. GentleCure® treatment, when selected, is delivered at our Bend office.