Skin Cancer Treatments Explained

Being diagnosed with skin cancer can feel overwhelming — but the good news is that most skin cancers are highly treatable, especially when found early.

Treatment depends on the type, size, location, and depth of the cancer, as well as your general health and skin type.

Here’s an overview of the most common and effective treatment options used in Australia today.

1. Surgical Excision

This is the most common and effective treatment for most types of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and early melanomas.

During a surgical excision:

• The doctor removes the entire lesion, along with a small margin of healthy skin around it, to ensure all cancer cells are cleared.

• The wound is then closed with stitches, and the removed tissue is sent to a pathology lab to confirm that the margins are clear.

Facial and Ear Surgeries:Skin cancers on the face, nose, or ears require extra precision. These areas have thinner skin and more visible scarring risks, so your doctor will use careful surgical planning to achieve the best cosmetic and medical outcome. Sometimes, flaps or skin grafts are used to repair the area with natural-looking results.

2. Cryotherapy (Freezing Treatment)

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy abnormal or pre-cancerous cells. It’s a quick procedure, usually performed in the clinic, and is best suited for:

• Solar keratoses (sun spots)

• Superficial BCCs or small, early lesions

After treatment, the area may blister, crust, and heal within a couple of weeks. Cryotherapy is effective but limited to shallow lesions — deeper or more aggressive cancers usually need surgery.

3. Curettage and Cautery

This technique is used for small, well-defined cancers. The doctor gently scrapes away the cancerous tissue with a curette (a small, spoon-shaped instrument) and then applies heat (cautery) to destroy remaining cells and control bleeding.

It’s a simple in-clinic procedure with minimal scarring, often used for BCCs and SCCs on the body.

4. Topical and Non-Surgical Treatments

Some very superficial skin cancers can be treated without surgery using medicated creams that stimulate your immune system to attack abnormal cells. Examples include:

• Imiquimod cream (for superficial BCC or solar keratoses)

• 5-Fluorouracil (Efudix) cream, which destroys abnormal cells on the surface of the skin

These treatments are usually applied daily for several weeks and can cause redness and irritation — a normal sign that the cream is working.

5. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)

PDT combines a light-sensitising cream and controlled light exposure to selectively destroy cancer cells. It’s most commonly used for superficial BCCs or sun-damaged areas on the face and scalp. The advantage of PDT is minimal scarring, making it ideal for cosmetically sensitive areas.

6. Advanced or Specialist Treatments

In rare cases of deep or advanced melanoma or SCC, patients may need referral for:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy or wider excision surgery

• Immunotherapy or targeted drug therapy (in hospital settings)

• Radiation therapy, especially if surgery is not suitable

Your GP or skin cancer doctor will coordinate these referrals as needed.

7. Follow-Up and Prevention

After treatment, regular skin checks are essential. Even after successful removal, there’s a chance of new lesions forming — especially if you’ve had previous sun damage. Your doctor will advise how often to return, typically:

• Every 6–12 months for low-risk patients

• Every 3–6 months for those with multiple or high-risk skin cancers

  
  

Key Message

Modern skin cancer treatments are highly effective and can often be performed safely and comfortably in the clinic. Early diagnosis is the key to simpler treatments, smaller scars, and better outcomes.

If you notice a new or changing lesion, or have a sore that doesn’t heal, see your GP or skin cancer doctor promptly — early action can make all the difference.