Other treatments

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses heat made by radio waves to kill cancer cells.

A laser is a very thin, focused beam of light.  It heats the tissue to high temperatures, destroying abnormal cells. Lasers can focus very accurately on tiny areas.

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a treatment that aims to kill cancer cells with high frequency sound waves. HIFU doesn't pass through solid bone or air, so it's not suitable for every cancer.

Photodynamic therapy is a treatment for several different types of cancer. It uses a light sensitising drug and very bright light to destroy cancer cells. Find out more about PDT.

Cryotherapy is a treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. It's a treatment for some early cancers and some precancerous conditions.

Ultraviolet light is a treatment for a type of skin cancer called T cell lymphoma. One type of UV treatment is called PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A).

Doctors use electrochemotherapy for cancers that started in the skin or have spread to the skin.