Does laser therapy have a role in treating skin cancer?

Does laser therapy have a role in treating skin cancer?

Harry Saperstein, MD, FAAD (Dermatologist, Clinical Assoc. Professor, Medicine, Private Practice and UCLA) gives expert video advice on: How are early-stage melanoma skin cancers treated?; What types of radiation therapy are used to treat skin cancer?; Does laser therapy have a role in treating skin cancer? and more...

When a patient presents with a skin cancer, that area of the skin needs to be removed. It can be removed by multiple modalities but surgery is by far the most common. A cutting tool such as a scalpel is the most prevalent way of removing that tissue. Lasers can be used as a cutting tool. It works no better by any means than a scalpel. Although it does limit some blood loss during the surgery, it is not a standard way of removing skin cancers and is probably not as accurate in most hands as a scalpel in those of us that are used to using as a scalpel. There is no laser per se that removes skin cancer without surgery. It is merely a surgical cutting device when used appropriately.