Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor provides Cryotherapy?
A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, provides cryotherapy for skin growths such as warts. For some tumors inside the body, other doctors use imaging to guide a freezing probe. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What it is
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue. It is also called cryosurgery or cryoablation. The cold comes from liquid nitrogen or argon gas, and it kills the cells in the treated area. Here we cover freezing treatment done by a doctor, mostly on skin growths.
For skin growths, the doctor puts liquid nitrogen right on the spot with a cotton swab or a spraying device. For tumors inside the body, the doctor may use a cryoprobe, a thin tool that freezes the tumor.
What people use it for
For skin, a dermatologist uses freezing to treat common, plantar, flat, and filiform warts. Plantar warts are on the feet. The National Cancer Institute also lists these uses.
- Skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
- Actinic keratoses, skin growths that can turn into cancer.
- Abnormal cell changes in the cervix that can turn into cancer.
- Some cancers inside the body, such as early-stage prostate cancer, and benign bone tumors.
How to prepare
Freezing a wart is done during an office visit while you stay awake. Your dermatologist may also prescribe a medicine to put on the wart at home. Because freezing can be painful, doctors mainly use it for older children and adults. Simple freezing is done in a doctor's office as an outpatient, which means you go home the same day.
What happens during it
The doctor freezes the spot with a very cold substance. For a wart, this makes it scab up and fall off. For a skin tumor, a scab forms and falls off as the skin heals. A tumor frozen inside the body is absorbed by the body. To protect nearby healthy tissue, the doctor uses ultrasound or MRI to guide the probe.
Recovery
After freezing a wart, crusting or a blister on the skin is expected. The treated area usually heals within 4 to 7 days. Most people need more than one treatment, and treatment may be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks. Ask your dermatologist how to care for your skin during and after treatment.
What the research shows and safety concerns
Freezing is a common treatment for warts. For some other uses, doctors do not know how well it controls cancer or helps people live longer over the long term. Researchers are still studying it for oral, breast, colon, pancreatic, and kidney cancer. Because the long-term value for some cancers and precancers is still being tested, insurance may not cover it.
Side effects depend on the body part treated. On the skin, freezing can cause scarring, swelling, and lightening or darkening of the skin. Damaged nerves can cause loss of feeling. Freezing the cervix can cause cramping, pain, or bleeding. Freezing a liver tumor can damage bile ducts and major blood vessels, which can cause heavy bleeding or infection.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have bleeding that will not stop, trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, or fainting.
Who performs it
A dermatologist performs cryotherapy for warts. More complex freezing, such as for tumors inside the body, may need a hospital stay and is done by a small number of hospitals and cancer centers with skilled doctors and special machines.
Common questions
Is cryotherapy the same as cryosurgery?
Yes, the names are used for the same kind of treatment. The National Cancer Institute says cryosurgery may also be called cryotherapy or cryoablation.
Can cryotherapy leave a scar?
Yes, it can. Freezing skin tumors may cause scarring and swelling. For warts, the skin can also become lighter, darker, or scarred.
How many cryotherapy treatments does a wart need?
Most people need more than one. Treatment may be repeated every 2 to 4 weeks, and the doctor may add a medicine to use at home.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a dermatologist or other specialist when needed.
Sources
- National Cancer Institute - Cryosurgery to Treat Cancer
- American Academy of Dermatology - Warts: Diagnosis and treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
