They can be removed by anything that removes your outer layer of skin, such as certain creams and weak acids. Basal cell skin cancers can be cured by removing the entire lesion with a margin of normal tissue around it. Surgery almost always causes scarring. Several recent reports show that basal cell skin cancers can be cured by injections of interferon or 5-fluorouracil, that do not cause scarring. Interferon is produced by your own cells when you have a viral infection.
Most dermatologists keep interferon bottles in their offices to treat warts.
Your skin cancers usually can be cured with injections of 150,000 units of interferon three times a week for 3 to 5 weeks. Side effects include fever and chills that rarely last more than a few hours. The people most likely to suffer skin cancer from excessive sun exposure are those who are pale complected, but even dark-skinned people can suffer skin cancer. Exposing your skin to direct sunlight can be harmful. Apply sunscreens 365 days a year.