Cryosurgery
Mohs Center of Richmond Dermatology
Cryotherapy (Liquid Nitrogen)
Cryotherapy destroys abnormal tissue by freezing it with extremely cold liquid nitrogen.
Best for:
- Actinic keratoses
- Selected very superficial skin cancers
Advantages
- Fast office treatment
- No cutting or stitches
- Minimal recovery time
Possible Side Effects
- Blistering
- Temporary soreness
- Lightening or darkening of the skin
- Rare scarring
Cryotherapy is generally not recommended for most invasive skin cancers because it does not allow confirmation that all cancer cells have been removed.