A temperature probe is inserted into the skin at a lateral margin. Treatment stops when the temperature at the lateral margins reaches -60 Celsius. It is a good option for nonsurgical candidates. Cryosurgery is operator dependent. Ionizing radiation is good treatment for nonsurgical candidates with facial tumors.
Radiation therapy requires multiple visits.
It results in radiation damage and, therefore, should be reserved for older patients. Radiation is less effective for nonfacial tumors. The goal of drug therapy is to eradicate malignant superficial basal cells. The most common chemotherapeutic agent used in superficial BCC is topical 5-fluorouracil. Interferes with DNA synthesis by blocking methylation of deoxyuridylic acid and inhibiting thymidylate synthetase and, subsequently, cell proliferation.