Treatment overview for non-melanoma skin cancer
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are often cured with treatment. Find out more about the different types of treatment.
About treatment for skin cancer
The treatment you are offered for non-melanoma skin cancer depends on:
- the type of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
- the size of the skin cancer
- where it is on the body
- the biopsy results
- whether you have had skin cancer before
- your general health.
You may not need any treatment if you had an excision biopsy to diagnose a BCC or SCC. But this is only if tests show that the cancer cells have been completely removed.
This information is about non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. We have separate information about melanoma treatments.
Types of treatment for skin cancer
The most common types of treatment that may be used include:
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Surgery
Surgery is often the first and only treatment needed for many skin cancers. There are different types of surgery that may be used.
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Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy destroys cancer cells by using liquid nitrogen to freeze them. It is a very quick way of treating actinic keratosis and small, low-risk skin cancers, such as a type of BCC called superficial BCC.
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Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a skin cream that is then activated by light to treat cancer cells. It is mainly used to treat superficial BCC.
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Chemotherapy or immunotherapy cream
A chemotherapy cream called fluorouracil or 5FU (Efudix®) or an immunotherapy cream called imiquimod (Aldara®) can be used to treat early superficial BCC. We have more information about chemotherapy cream.
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Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy may be used instead of surgery for BCCs and SCCs. For example, radiotherapy may be used if surgery might be difficult or would affect a very visible part of the body, such as the face. Sometimes radiotherapy may be given to treat cancer that has spread. Or it may be given after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back in the same area.
The following treatments are sometimes used to treat skin cancer that has spread:
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Surgery to remove lymph nodes
A small number of people with a SCC have surgery to remove some nearby lymph nodes. This operation is called a lymph node dissection or lymphadenectomy. If cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes, removing them can help stop the cancer spreading further. This is a large operation done under a general anaesthetic. Sometimes, removing the lymph nodes can affect the drainage of lymph fluid. This may cause permanent swelling of the affected area (lymphoedema).
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Systemic anti-cancer drugs
Systemic means a treatment that goes into the bloodstream rather than directly onto the skin. This includes cancer drugs that are given into a vein or as tablets. These are sometimes used to treat skin cancers that have spread. The drugs travel in the bloodstream through the body. This means they can treat cancer cells around the body, not just where the cancer started in the skin.
Systemic treatments for skin cancer may include the following types of cancer drug:
- targeted therapy – a drug that targets something in or around cancer cells to attack them
- immunotherapy – a drug that uses the body’s immune system to find and attack cancer cells
- chemotherapy – different chemotherapy drugs may be used depending on the type of skin cancer
Cemiplimab (Libtayo®) is a targeted and immunotherapy drug used to treat some locally advanced or advanced skin cancers.
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Electrochemotherapy
Sometimes, a low dose of chemotherapy and a small electrical current is used to treat 1 area of skin cancer. This is called electrochemotherapy.
Related pages
Multidisciplinary team (MDT) for skin cancer
In most hospitals, a team of specialists will talk to you about the treatment they feel is best for you. They are called a multidisciplinary team (MDT). For skin cancer, the MDT will usually include:
- a dermatologist – a doctor who treats skin problems
- a plastic surgeon – a doctor who does operations (surgery) to repair or reconstruct tissue and skin
- a medical oncologist – a doctor who uses chemotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs to treat people with cancer
- a clinical oncologist – a doctor who uses radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs to treat people with cancer
- a skin cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) – a nurse who gives information about cancer, and support during treatment
- radiologists – doctors who look at scans and x-rays to diagnose problems
- pathologists – doctors who look at cells or body tissue under a microscope to diagnose cancer.
These specialists will talk to you about your treatment options. They will tell you what to expect and can answer any questions. You may be asked if you would like to take part in a clinical trial.
You can also visit our Online Community skin cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by skin cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.
Related pages
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our skin cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Keohane SG, Botting J, Budny PG, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma 2020. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;184(3): 401–414. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.19621 [accessed May 2024].
Nasr I, McGrath EJ, Harwood CA, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of adults with basal cell carcinoma 2021. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;185(5): 899–920. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20524 [accessed May 2024].
Sharma A, Birnie AJ, Bordea C, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen disease) 2022. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2023;188(2): 186–194. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljac042 [accessed May 2024].
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Professor Samra Turajlic, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
With thanks to: Dr Stephanie Arnold, Consultant; Kerry Jane Bate, Advanced Nurse Practitioner; Dr Philippa Closier, Clinical Oncologist; Sharon Cowell-Smith, Macmillan Advanced Nurse Practitioner Skin Cancers; and Dr Benjamin Shum, Medical Oncologist.
Thanks also to the other professionals and people affected by cancer who reviewed this edition, and to those who shared their stories.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
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We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.
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This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.
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