Skin cancer treatment is a key part of your overall cancer care plan. When diagnosed and treated early, most skin cancers can be cured. We offer a variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatments for all types of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We also offer photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy.

We treat skin cancers by removing the abnormal tissue and checking the removed tissue under a microscope to make sure no cancer cells remain. We use a technique called Mohs surgery, which offers the highest rate of complete removal while sparing healthy tissue, and is especially effective for melanoma and other hard-to-treat skin cancers.

The most common surgery for squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma is wide-local excision. Your doctor numbs the area with a local anesthetic, then cuts out (excises) the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue around it. For smaller tumors, we may use a technique called electrodessication and curettage to scrape away the tumor and destroy any cells beneath the surface with a tool called a curette, leaving behind only normal skin. We can also destroy some actinic keratoses and small, superficial skin cancers by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryosurgery).

Skin Cancer Screening: What to Expect During Your Appointment

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancerous cells that your doctor can’t remove with surgery or other treatments. We also have several chemotherapy and immunotherapy options that can be used in place of or in addition to radiation therapy. These medicines can be taken by mouth or given intravenously, or a specialized topical cream with cancer-fighting medicine is available for some skin cancers.