Surgery has for a long time been the most common treatment for skin cancer. The affected skin is surgically removed, as well as some of the surrounding skin. Usually the wound is sutured, but in some cases a skin transplant is needed. For melanoma skin cancer, surgery is the only option.

With cryotherapy skin tissue is removed by locally freezing the affected tissue with liquid nitrogen.

Photodynamic treatment. A topical cream is applied at the affected area. The active ingredient in the cream is taken up by cancerous cells, and transformed to a photosensitive substance. The area is then illuminated by red light causing the cancerous cells to die. Healthy tissue will be left unaffected.