Cautery and Curettage

This is a time honoured technique used almost exclusively by dermatologists.  The curette is an instrument that “scrapes” away the soft tissue that comprises the bulk of some skin cancers. Normal tissue is not affected by curetting.  The Cautery (or diathermy) part of the procedure allows the surgeon to seal off any bleeding and at the same time “mop up” any residual tumor cells not removed by curetting.
“C and C”, as it is known, is used for superficial BCCs and superficial SCCs especially when these occur away from the face.  In experienced hands, it may also be used on small nodular BCCs and small invasive SCCs.  It should never be used on a suspected Melanoma.
The resulting wound heals slowly by itself and generally results in a flat white scar.  This scar is generally more superior to a surgical scar on body areas such as limbs and trunk, especially for larger superficial skin cancers, but a surgical scar will generally be cosmetically superior on the face and neck.
A biopsy is always able to be obtained from the curetted tissue which is then sent away for pathological diagnosis.
Curettage, without Cautery, may also be used for a wide variety of benign skin lesions.

Further reading: 
BCC
SCC
Melanoma
 

view all

Fact Sheet Library

Actinic Keratoses

Actinic Keratoses (AKs) are the most common sun spot on Australian skin and may develop in to Squamo...

view fact sheet
10 Golden Rules

10 Golden Rules of skin protection and skin cancer prevention

view fact sheet
Moles

Moles or Nevi commonly appear throughout the first four decades of life. After this time any new mol...

view fact sheet
Dysplastic Nevi (DNS)

Dysplastic Nevi have an unusual and characteristic appearance and may mimic Melanoma. Regular examin...

view fact sheet