Oxford Day Surgery and Dermatology provides many types of treatments for skin cancer patients. Our doctors are able to discuss with you which of the following options would be most appropriate for your situation:
 
Shave, Curette and Cautery, Laser ablation
These procedures are ideal for most superficial skin cancers. The tumour is scraped, shaved or lasered away from the underlying skin and the wound heals to leave a flat white scar. The cosmetic outcome is generally quite acceptable.
 
Surgical Excision
This technique of cutting out the tumour can be used for all skin cancers. Surgical excision generally has a cure rate of over 90% and the procedure may produce a more cosmetically acceptable scar than curette and cautery. 
 
Mohs Surgery
This is the surgical technique associated with the highest cure rates for certain difficult skin cancers such as basal cell carcinomas on the face. The tumour is surgically removed, processed and microscopically evaluated while the patient waits. Using careful mapping techniques, the dermatologist returns to the patient to remove any remaining tumour and the process is repeated until no cancer remains.  The cure rate is approximately 98-99%. As with ordinary excision techniques, a skin graft or skin flap may be needed to close the final wound.
 
Cryosurgery
Liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the tumour to the point where the cancer dies. Cryosurgery is generally limited to smaller, early and superficial tumours.
 
Radiation (X-ray)
High energy X-ray is generally reserved for skin cancers not easily treated by other techniques, especially in older patients. Following healing of the radiation wound, the cosmetic result is excellent but there is some deterioration of the scar with time, and after 10-15 years a mottling at the treatment site often occurs.
 
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a relatively new technique for the treatment of selected superficial skin cancers. PDT allows you to avoid surgery; two visits are required during which cream is applied to the skin cancer and then activated with a red light.