Cryosurgery for cutaneous malignancy. An update.
BACKGROUND
Cryosurgery is a successful modality for destruction of basal and squamous cell carcinomas. There is a trend toward more aggressive freezing of lesions and treatment of selected difficult tumors.


OBJECTIVE
The indications and advantages for cryosurgery, recent treatment techniques, tissue response, complications, and results merit description.


METHODS
The standard method of treatment is used with aggressive freezing of the lesion, including a greater lateral spread of freeze and attainment of lower tissue temperatures.


RESULTS
The cure rate of cryosurgery is high and the cosmetic results are good to excellent.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of cryosurgery are comparable with other modalities. It may be preferable or advantageous for some patients because of the quickness and safety of the procedure and its low cost. With changes in health care spending due to law or regulation, and within the environment of a managed care system, dermatologists may choose cryosurgery on the basis of outcome and cost.
Kuflik
E G
EG
Department of Dermatology, University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*