Skin cancer is treated in different ways. Treatment depends on:
- the type, size and location of the cancer
- your general health
- any medicines you are taking (these can affect the amount of bleeding and the healing time)
- whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
If the biopsy has removed all the cancer (see Skin biopsy), you may not need any further treatment.
Many of the treatments described here are suitable for sunspots as well as skin cancers. Some sunspots may need treatment if they are causing symptoms or to prevent them becoming cancers.
Learn more about:
- Making treatment decisions
- Surgery
- Curettage and cautery
- Cryotherapy
- Topical treatments
- Photodynamic therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Removing lymph nodes
Listen to our podcasts on Making Treatment Decisions and Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis
Additional resources
Prof Diona Damian, Dermatologist, The University of Sydney at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Associate, Melanoma Institute of Australia, NSW; Dr Annie Ho, Radiation Oncologist, Genesis Care, Macquarie University, St Vincent’s and Mater Hospitals, NSW; Rebecca Johnson, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Melanoma Institute of Australia, NSW; Shannon Jones, SunSmart Health Professionals Coordinator, Cancer Council Victoria; Liz King, Skin Cancer Prevention Manager, Cancer Council NSW; Roslyn McCulloch, Consumer; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Paige Preston, Policy Advisor, Cancer Prevention, Health and Wellbeing, Cancer Council Queensland; Dr Michael Wagels, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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