Curettage and electrosurgery for nonmelanoma skin cancer

Surgery Overview

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Curettage is the process of scraping skin with a spoon-shaped instrument (curet) to remove skin tissue. Electrosurgery is the burning of skin tissue with an electric current that runs through a metal instrument or needle. Electrosurgery may be done after curettage to control bleeding and destroy any remaining cancer cells. The wound is then covered with an antibiotic dressing.

The skin is numbed with a local anesthetic before the procedure. Curettage and electrosurgery may be repeated once or twice or may be combined with other procedures, such as cryosurgery.

What To Expect After Surgery

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Recovery may take 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the extent of surgery. Keep the wound clean and dry. A scab will form over the area.

Why It Is Done

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Curettage and electrosurgery are done to:

• Treat cancers on the outermost skin layer (superficial), especially if they are in an area where appearance is not a concern.
• Remove a small basal cell carcinoma.
• Remove a squamous cell carcinoma in its earliest, noninvasive form (in situ, Bowen).
• Remove a new skin cancer.

How Well It Works

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Treatment with curettage and electrosurgery for skin cancer has a cure rate of nearly 99 out of 100 for basal cell cancer that is less than wide, and 84 out of 100 if the cancer is larger than wide.¹ This procedure is most effective on new skin cancers. It is less successful for recurrent skin cancers where scar tissue has developed.

Risks

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Risks of using curettage and electrosurgery for skin cancer include:

• Skin changes, such as scarred or tight skin, slightly indented or raised skin, or change in skin color to red or white.
• Bleeding.
• Pain.
• Infection.
• Recurrence of skin cancer.

What To Think About

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Curettage and electrosurgery is a common treatment method for a basal cell carcinoma less than in diameter.

Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.

References

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Citations

1. Carucci JA, Leffell DJ (2003). Basal cell carcinoma. In IM Freedberg et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 6th ed., pp. 747–754. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Credits

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Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Last Updated	November 22, 2006