Years later, Marsha noticed a few suspicious red spots on her skin and visited her Dermatologist. After biopsying multiple areas, it was determined that she had Basal Cell Carcinoma. BCC’s are abnormal, uncontrolled growths or lesions that arise in the skin’s basal cells, which line the outermost layer of the skin. Like in Marsha’s case, they often look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars and are usually caused by a combination of cumulative and intense, occasional sun exposure.

Dr. Brian Eggert, board certified Radiation Oncologist, leads the team at Garden State Radiation Oncology in Toms River. “We treat an average of 100 cases of skin cancer each year,” states Dr. Eggert. “The primary risk factor of skin cancer is UV exposure from tanning beds and sun rays. It’s important for people to use protective products on exposed areas such as the face, neck, ears, legs, and back of the hands,” he explains. According to Dr. Eggert, when detected early, treatment for skin cancer may require only a simple outpatient surgery at your dermatologist’s office. However, if it goes undetected, skin cancer can spread and treatment may include radiation, often coupled with surgery.

Marsha and her Dermatologist chose the surgical route for the treatment of her skin cancer. She underwent various procedures including excision, the process of numbing and then cutting out the tumor and a small surrounding area; curettage and desiccation, the process of numbing and then using a tool shaped like spoon to scrape out the tumor; and freezing, utilization of liquid nitrogen to freeze the cancer cells. According to Marsha, these procedures were extremely painful and left her with scarring.

In 2017, after a visit with her Dermatologist, Marsha received news that she had Basal Cell Carcinoma once more. This time, it was located on both sides of her nose. Knowing what she had been through with the surgical procedures, Marsha asked her Doctor if there were any other options for treatment. She did not want the needles, cutting and scarring again- especially on her face. Marsha’s Doctor recommended that she try radiation and referred her to Garden State Radiation Oncology in Toms River.

“External beam radiation therapy is the type of radiation therapy used very often for patients with skin cancer,” states Dr. Eggert. “The radiation is focused on the cancer from a machine outside the body and it’s a lot like getting an x-ray, but the radiation is more intense,” he explains. “Treatments are painless and take less than 15 minutes each, start to finish,” describes Dr. Eggert.

Marsha made an appointment at Garden State Radiation Oncology and was seen right away. “Dr. Eggert, with his mild demeanor, immediately put me at ease,” Marsha says. “I believe he goes the extra mile by his practice of seeing each patient once a week and by encouraging them to call with any questions or concerns in between appointments,” she explains. “The Nurse and the Radiation Therapists were very pleasant, knowledgeable ladies who went about their jobs with professionalism, tact and skill,” Marsha states. “A whole team effort was always present,” says Marsha.

After a visit to her Dermatologist in 2018, Marsha received the news that no one wants to hear. Basal Cell Carcinomas were again found, this time on her temple, shoulder and leg. With the support of her Doctor, Marsha again opted for radiation at Garden State Radiation Oncology. Her last day of treatment was on January 15, 2019. “I have no scars or scabs and the skin has healed perfectly,” Marsha states. “I am very happy and cancer free,” she says.