Skin cancer
Other treatments for skin cancer
There are a range of treatments for skin cancer, including curretage and electrodesiccation, cryotherapy and topical creams. Find out when different treatments are used and their side effects.
Last updated:
Sources and references What's on this page
Curettage and electrodesiccation
Curettage and electrodesiccation (cautery) is used to treat some BCCs, small SCCs and areas of SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease).
The doctor will give you a local anaesthetic and then scoop out the cancer using a small, sharp, spoon-shaped instrument called a curette. Low-level heat will be applied to stop the bleeding and destroy any remaining cancer. The wound should heal within a few weeks, leaving a small, flat, round, white scar. Some people may have cryotherapy (see the opposite page) after curettage to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, or cryosurgery (freezing), uses extreme cold to treat sunspots, some small superficial BCCs and SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease). It is not suitable for some SCCs that have come back.
The GP or dermatologist sprays liquid nitrogen onto the sunspot or skin cancer and a small area of skin around it. You may feel a burning or stinging sensation, which lasts a few minutes. The liquid nitrogen freezes and kills the abnormal skin cells and creates a wound.
The treated area will be sore and red. A blister may form soon after. A few days later, a crust will form on the wound. The dead tissue will start to fall off 1–6 weeks later, depending on the area treated. New, healthy skin cells will grow and a scar may develop. The healed skin may look paler than the surrounding skin.
Your doctor will tell you about follow-ups to check if the skin cancer has come back. In some cases, the procedure may need to be repeated.
Topical treatments
Some spots and superficial skin cancers can be treated with creams or gels called topical treatments. They may contain immunotherapy or chemotherapy drugs, and are prescribed by a doctor. Only use them on the specific areas that your doctor has asked you to treat. Don’t use leftover cream on spots that have not been checked by your doctor.
Immunotherapy cream
Imiquimod cream is a type of immunotherapy that causes the body’s immune system to destroy cancer cells. It’s used to treat sunspots and superficial BCCs. You may need a biopsy (if you haven’t had one) before using this cream. Your doctor will explain how and when to apply the cream. For superficial BCCs, the cream is often applied at night, usually 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Within days, the treated skin may get red, sore or tender. It may peel and scab over before it gets better. Some people experience pain or itching in the affected area, fever, achy joints, headache and a rash. If you notice any of these more serious side effects, stop using the cream and see your doctor immediately.
Chemotherapy cream
A cream called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a type of chemotherapy drug used to treat sunspots and sometimes SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease). 5-FU works best on the face and scalp. Your doctor will explain how to apply the cream and how often. Many people use it once or twice a day for 2–4 weeks. It may need to be used for longer for some skin cancers.
While using the cream, your skin will be more sensitive to UV radiation and you will need to stay out of the sun. The treated skin may become red, blister, peel and crack, and feel uncomfortable. These effects will usually settle within a few weeks of finishing treatment.
Other treatments
As at October 2025, there are no Australian guidelines or recommendations on the use of topical radiation creams such as Rhenium-188. Information on its effectiveness and side effects is needed before it may be considered a standard treatment.
Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a cream that kills cancer cells when a special light is applied. It is used to treat sunspots, superficial BCCs and SCC in situ (Bowen’s disease). This treatment may have a high cost.
After gently scraping the area to remove any dry skin or crusting, the doctor applies a cream to the skin. After 3 hours, light is used to activate the cream, either using an LED light or by indirect sun exposure (daylight PDT). An LED light is usually used on the area for about 8 minutes. The area is then covered with a bandage. For skin cancers, LED PDT is usually repeated 1–2 weeks later. Daylight PDT works in a similar way – your doctor will give you instructions for how long to expose only the area with the cream to sunlight.
Side effects can include redness and swelling, which usually ease after a few days. PDT commonly causes a burning, stinging or tender feeling in the treatment area, particularly on the face. Your doctor may treat these side effects with a cold water spray or pack, or give you a local anaesthetic to help ease any discomfort.
Sources and references
This edition has been developed by Cancer Council NSW on behalf of all other state and territory Cancer Councils as part of a National Cancer Information Subcommittee initiative.
All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Prof Victoria Mar, Director, Victorian Melanoma Service, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, VIC and Prof Anne Cust, Acting Director, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, and faculty member, Melanoma Institute Australia.
This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Prof Victoria Mar (see above); Tracey Bilson, Consumer; Raelene Buchan, Consumer; Alison Button-Sloan, Consumer; Dr Margaret Chua, Radiation Oncologist, and the Skin Radiation Oncology team, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Anne Cust, (see above); A/Prof Paul Fishburn, Skin Cancer Doctor, Norwest Skin Cancer Centre, NSW and Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland; Danielle Goss, Melanoma Clinical Nurse Specialist, Amie St Clair Melanoma (part of Melanoma Institute Australia), Wagga Wagga, NSW; Louise Pellerade, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Dr Shireen Sidhu, Head of Dermatology, The Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; Dr Amelia Smit, Research Fellow – Melanoma and Skin Cancer, The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW; Dr Tony Tonks, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Canberra Plastic Surgery, ACT.
We also thank the health professionals, consumers and editorial teams who have worked on previous editions of this title.
Thanks also to Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre for providing the dysplastic naevus photograph on page 11, A/Prof Paul Fishburn for providing the sunspot photograph on page 10, A/Prof Andrew Miller for providing the age spot photograph on page 10, and Prof H Peter Soyer for providing the other photographs on pages 9–11.
Skin cancer
Cancer Council 13 11 20
Call us to talk to a specially trained health professional for free and confidential support and information.
Guide to best cancer care
This skin cancer guide explains the standard of high-quality cancer care that all Australians can expect, from diagnosis, to treatment, recovery, and living with cancer.