Skin cancer removal

Most skin cancers can be removed in the office with a local numbing injection. The right method depends on the type of cancer, its size, where it is and your health.

Treatment options

• Excision: the cancer is cut out along with a margin of healthy skin, and the wound is closed with stitches. The tissue is checked in a lab to assess the margins; further treatment may be needed if cancer remains.
• Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C): used for some small, low-risk cancers
• Cryotherapy: freezing, used mainly for precancers and occasionally selected low-risk superficial cancers when appropriate
• Prescription creams: for some superficial basal cell carcinomas
• Mohs surgery referral: for cancers on the face or in other areas where saving healthy tissue is important, or cancers with higher risk

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells. It is fast and usually does not require a numbing injection. It is used mainly for precancerous spots, warts, seborrheic keratoses and some superficial skin cancers. The spot may blister, then crust and heal within 1 to 3 weeks. It can leave a lighter mark, especially in darker skin.

Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C)

In ED&C, the provider numbs the area, scrapes away the cancer with a small instrument called a curette, then uses an electric current to treat the base and stop bleeding. This is often repeated in the same visit. It is used for some small, low-risk basal and squamous cell carcinomas on the body. The wound heals on its own over a few weeks and can leave a scar or pigment change.

After your procedure

We explain how to care for the wound and when to come back. We will let you know the lab results and schedule follow-up skin checks.

Where it is offered

Q&A

Related care

• Basal and squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma and high-risk follow-up
• Biopsies
• Scar revision