Curettage and desiccation is a skin cancer treatment option designed for removing superficial and simple cancer cells from the surface of the skin. This treatment option is most often recommended for small squamous and basal cell carcinomas as well as non-cancerous lesions, and is a surgical option that usually heals easily within several weeks, often without sutures.
What to expect from curettage and desiccation
The two parts of the curettage and desiccation procedure refer to the removal of the lesion and the cauterization of the wound afterwards.
Curettage is performed with a scraping device called a curette that is shaped something like a spoon and literally scoops the cancerous cells off the surface of the skin.
Desiccation usually utilizes an electric current to cauterize the wound, reduce bleeding and eliminate remaining cancerous cells. Patients are placed under local anesthetic and can usually drive themselves home afterward. The wound usually takes weeks to heal and your skin cancer dermatologist in Orange County will provide you with dressing and instruction to make sure that you make a full and rapid recovery.
The benefits of Curettage and Desiccation to treat skin cancer in Orange County
This treatment is a simple and inexpensive option for very specific kinds of cancer. Curettage and desiccation are a good option for patients with well-defined basal or squamous cell carcinomas in a location where scars can be easily hidden. This procedure has a high rate of success for eligible patients, and can be preferable to patients who don’t want to undergo a more complicated procedure.
Are there risks involved with this skin cancer treatment?
Any skin cancer treatment carries its share of risks, but curettage and desiccation in the hands of a board-certified dermatologist carries mostly minimal and manageable risks. Curettage wounds are often allowed to heal without sutures, and must be carefully cleaned and dressed while healing. Risks include swelling, bleeding or crusting of the wound, pain, and risks of cancer recurrence or a need for additional surgeries.
Even with the potential risks, curettage and desiccation has a comparatively high rate of success and is an inexpensive and effective solution. While it is often associated with scarring, many patients choose it for its simplicity and effectiveness.