BACKGROUND. Cryosurgery is a successful modality for destruction of ba
sal and squamous cell carcinomas. There is a trend toward move aggress
ive freezing of lesions and treatment of selected difficult tumors. OB
JECTIVE. The indications and advantages for cryosurgery, recent treatm
ent techniques, tissue response, complications, and results merit desc
ription. METHOD. The standard method of treatment is used with aggress
ive freezing of the lesion, including a greater lateral spread of free
ze and attainment of lower tissue temperatures. RESULTS. The cure rate
of cryosurgery is high and the cosmetic results are good to excellent
. CONCLUSION. The results of cryosurgery are comparable with other mod
alities. If may be preferable or advantageous for some patients becaus
e of the quickness and safety of the procedure and its low cost. With
changes in health care spending due to In su or regulation, and within
the environment of a managed cave system,, dermatologists may choose
cryosurgery on the basis of outcome and cost. (C) 1997 by the American
Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.