Minimally invasive skin cancer treatments are designed to effectively remove or destroy cancerous and precancerous skin cells while preserving healthy tissue, reducing downtime, and supporting excellent cosmetic outcomes. These treatments are often ideal for early-stage or superficial skin cancers.
Dr. Amin Esfahani, MD, Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the team at Central Valley Skin Specialists provide comprehensive skin evaluations and personalized treatment recommendations for patients throughout the Central Valley.
Treatment Options
Superficial Radiation Therapy Image-guided superficial radiation therapy is a non-surgical treatment that uses low-energy radiation to treat certain types of skin cancer while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Ultrasound imaging is used throughout treatment to precisely measure and monitor the cancer, allowing radiation to be delivered accurately to the targeted area. This technique offers high cure rates without surgery, making it especially beneficial for patients seeking a non-invasive option or for cancers located on cosmetically sensitive areas such as the face, ears, scalp, and lower legs.
Cryotherapy Cryotherapy uses controlled freezing to destroy abnormal skin cells. It is commonly used for precancerous lesions such as actinic keratoses and select superficial skin cancers. The procedure is quick, performed in-office, and typically requires minimal recovery time.
Topical Chemotherapy Creams Prescription topical medications such as 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod may be used to treat superficial skin cancers and widespread precancerous lesions. These treatments work by targeting and eliminating abnormal skin cells over time while stimulating the body’s immune response.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Photodynamic therapy combines a light-activated medication with a specific wavelength of light to selectively destroy abnormal skin cells. PDT is especially useful for treating sun-damaged areas with multiple precancerous lesions while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
Electrodessication & Curettage (ED&C) This minimally invasive procedure involves scraping away cancerous tissue followed by controlled electrical energy to destroy remaining abnormal cells. ED&C is often used for small, superficial basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas.
Ongoing Surveillance & Prevention Regular skin examinations and monitoring are essential after treatment to ensure early detection of recurrence or new lesions. Patients may also receive individualized sun protection and skin care recommendations to reduce future risk.
