Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Cryosurgery for Skin Conditions
Cryosurgery for Skin Conditions
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Warts.
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Skin sores that could turn into cancer (precancerous skin lesions or actinic keratoses).
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Some skin cancers.
Cryosurgery usually takes a few minutes, and it can be done in your health care provider’s office.
Tell a health care provider about:
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Any allergies you have.
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All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
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Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
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Any bleeding problems you have.
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Any surgeries you have had.
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Any medical conditions you have.
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Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
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Infection.
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Bleeding.
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Scarring.
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Changes in skin color (lighter or darker than normal skin tone).
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Swelling.
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Hair loss in the treated area.
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Damage to nearby structures or organs, such as nerve damage and loss of feeling. This is rare.
What happens before the procedure?
No specific preparation is needed for this procedure. Your health care provider will describe the procedure and will discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure with you.
What happens during the procedure?
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Your procedure will be performed using one of the following methods:
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Your health care provider may apply a device (probe) to the skin. The probe has liquid nitrogen flowing through it to cool it down. The probe will be applied to the skin until the skin is frozen and destroyed.
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Your health care provider may apply liquid nitrogen to the skin with a swab or by spraying it on the skin until the skin is frozen and destroyed.
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The treated area may be covered with a bandage.
These procedures may vary among health care providers and clinics.
What happens after the procedure?
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Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.
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It is up to you to get the results of your procedure. Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the procedure, when your results will be ready.
Summary
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Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy, is the use of extremely cold liquid (liquid nitrogen) to freeze and remove abnormal or diseased tissue.
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Cryosurgery usually takes a few minutes, and it can be done in your health care provider’s office.
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There are two different methods for performing cryosurgery. One method involves using a device (probe) to freeze the growth, and the other method involves applying liquid nitrogen directly to the growth.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
