Cryosurgery is the application of freezing temperatures causing intentional destruction of tissue. This is useful in the safe and effective treatment of various benign and malignant skin lesions. It is a fairly rapid method of treatment that requires no preop or anesthesia and can be performed in a primary care office. Usual freeze times are less than 30 seconds. Some lesions require multiple freezes in a session and some require multiple sessions.

Common lesions treated:

Viral lesions:

Common Verruca (warts) – Warts are one of the most common lesions treated by cryotherapy. This includes both common warts and plantar warts. Depending on the size and location of the wart, it may require several sessions 2-3 weeks apart.

Common Wart

Plantar wart

Molluscum contagiosum – this is a fairly common skin lesion easily treated with cryo.

Benign lesions:

1. Seborrheic keratosis

2. Cutaneous horn

3. Skin tags

4. Pyogenic granuloma

Premalignant or malignant lesions:

Malignant lesions are rarely treated with cryo but it is possible if certain conditions are met.

1. Actinic keratosis

2. Basal cell carcinoma

3. Squamous cell carcinomas