Is cryosurgery a preferred method for the treatment of cutaneous malignancy?

The treatment of cutaneous cancers by cryosurgery is not accepted by all dermatologists. In general, surgically oriented dermatologists feel that the demonstration of negative surgical margins is preferable to cryosurgery for significant cancers. In addition, cryosurgery can have significant postoperative morbidity for patients and may result in less than ideal scars. As a result, many dermatologists reserve cryosurgery for malignant lesions to special circumstances. In particular, patients who cannot tolerate conventional surgery, due to other health concerns, are often ideal patients for cryosurgery. Cryosurgeons argue that the cure rates achieved by cryosurgery are comparable to those of other surgical modalities, especially when the margins of the tumor can be identified. They advocate that cryosurgery should be considered equivalent to surgical excision in the treatment of malignant cutaneous tumors.

Thissen M, Nieman F, Ideler A, et al: Cosmetic results of cryosurgery versus surgical excision for primary uncomplicated basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck, Dermatol Surg 26:759–764, 2000.