Surgery and Other Procedures for Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a common problem. Doctors have many tools to treat it. Surgery is a key part of that treatment. Treatment depends on the cancer type, location, and stage. The cancer stage is a way of describing how extensive a cancer is. Different types of surgery work best for different kinds of skin cancer.^1-3

Excision

This is a simple surgery. Doctors use it for many types of skin cancer. They cut out the cancerous skin. They also remove a small border of healthy skin around the cancer. This border is called a margin. It helps make sure all the cancer is gone.^1-3

During excision, the doctor typically uses a scalpel. This is a small, sharp knife. They close the wound with stitches. The skin sample is sent to a lab. The lab checks to see if all the cancer was removed.^1-3

Excisional surgery works well for small, early-stage skin cancers. It can leave a scar. The scar size often depends on how big the cancer was.³

Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is very precise and has a very high cure rate. It is often used for skin cancers on the face, neck, and hands. Mohs surgery removes the cancer layer by layer.^1-3

The doctor removes a thin layer of skin. They look at it under a microscope right away. If cancer cells are still there, they remove another layer. This process continues until no cancer cells are left. This means the doctor takes out the cancerous tissue while saving as much healthy skin as possible.^1-3

Curettage and electrodessication

This surgery is for small, superficial skin cancers. Superficial means the cancer is only on the top layer of skin. Doctors use a curette. This is a tool with a sharp loop. It scrapes away the cancer.^1-3

After the cancer is scraped away, doctors use electrodessication. This means they use an electric needle. The needle burns the base of the wound. This kills any remaining cancer cells. It also stops bleeding.^1-3

Curettage and electrodessication may leave a small scar. It is quick and easy. It is not used for deep or aggressive skin cancers.³

Laser surgery

Laser surgery uses a strong beam of light. The light destroys the cancer cells. It is used for very superficial skin cancers. It can also be used for precancerous lesions. Precancerous means the cells are not cancerous yet, but they could turn into cancer.³

Laser surgery can cause less scarring than other surgeries. It can also cause less bleeding. It may require multiple treatments.³

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen. This is very cold. It freezes and kills the cancer cells. It is used for small, superficial skin cancers. It is also used for precancerous lesions. Cryotherapy can cause some discomfort and can also cause swelling and redness. It can leave a scar.^1-3

Photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a special light and a drug. The drug makes the cancer cells sensitive to light. The light then destroys the cancer cells. It is used for certain superficial skin cancers and precancerous lesions. PDT may require multiple treatments. It can cause temporary redness and swelling.^1-3

Procedures for advanced or high-risk skin cancer

Advanced skin cancer may be treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and/or medicine. Advanced skin cancer may generally be defined as cancer that is still confined to the skin tumor, but it is large, recurrent, or aggressive, or when the cancer has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic), such as the lymph nodes.^1-3

Lymph node removal treats cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes. One possible benefit is less lymph node pain. A possible risk of this surgery is lymphedema. Lymphedema is when fluid builds up in the limbs. Lymph nodes normally drain the fluid, so removing them can lead to lymphedema.^1-3

Radiation therapy can be a second (adjuvant) therapy for high-risk skin cancer. Adjuvant therapy is used after a primary treatment, such as surgery. The goal is to kill remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of recurrence.^1,2

Talk with your doctor

Your treatment will depend on the type, size, and location of the skin cancer. It also depends on your overall health. Discuss your options with your doctor. They can help you understand your treatment options.¹