Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery

Electrodessication & Curettage (ED&C)

Using local anesthesia, the physician scrapes off the cancerous growth with a curette (a sharp, ring-shaped instrument).

The heat produced by an electrocautery needle destroys residual tumor and controls bleeding. This technique may be repeated twice or more to ensure that all cancer cells are eliminated. It can produce cure rates approaching those of surgical excision, but may not be as useful for aggressive skin cancers or those in high-risk or difficult sites.