The Top Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Options

There’s no way around it – the word “cancer” is always going to sound scary. But at Keys Dermatology, we know it doesn’t have to. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. Fortunately, it’s also incredibly responsive to treatment. In fact, basal cell carcinoma is rarely aggressive and has an excellent survival rate.

If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer, there are several highly effective treatment options. Our experienced board-certified dermatologist in Key West can recommend the best plan for you.

Cryosurgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma

In some cases, basal cell carcinoma might respond to cryotherapy, which works by freezing the cancer cells to destroy them. Cryosurgery is performed during a quick office visit and causes very little discomfort.

While cryosurgery is more commonly performed on precancerous growths, you could be a good candidate for this treatment if:

• You have multiple skin cancers
• You have a bleeding disorder that increases the risks associated with invasive surgery
• You’ve never had a cancer lesion in the area that needs treatment before

Cryotherapy is a very effective option and has a basal cell carcinoma cure rate of 99% after five years.

Mohs Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma

Cryosurgery isn’t the best option for all basal cell carcinomas. If that’s true in your case, our providers will recommend other options, including Mohs surgery. This specialized technique is designed to remove as little healthy skin as possible. 

During the procedure, our provider will remove extremely thin layers of cancerous tissue one at a time and microscopically examine each sample until no cancer cells are detected. This method leaves the smallest scar possible. 

Mohs surgery is a great option if you have basal cell carcinoma in a sensitive area, like around the nose or mouth. This outpatient procedure is typically well tolerated under local anesthesia. Mohs is also the gold standard in basal cell carcinoma treatment, with a cure rate of 99% for cancer that hasn’t been treated before. 

Schedule Your Basal Cell Carcinoma Treatment Consultation

Getting a cancer diagnosis is jarring, even when a good outcome is most likely. At Keys Dermatology, our patient-centered approach to care ensures you’ll feel heard and comfortable throughout your skin cancer treatment. Schedule a consultation for treatment or a skin cancer screening at Keys Dermatology in Islamorada or Key West, Florida by calling 305-664-8828.