Cryosurgery has been historically used to treat a number of diseases and disorders, especially a variety of benign and malignant skin conditions.

[2][3] In 1841, English physician James Arnott described therapeutic applications of extremely cold temperatures, namely a mixture of crushed ice and salt applied locally (to skin or mucous membrane).

He theorized his technique was capable of "arresting the accompanying inflammation, and perhaps destroying the vitality of the cancer cell.

Further harm to malignant growth will result once the blood vessels supplying the affected tissue begin to freeze.

Cryosurgery is used to treat a variety of benign skin lesions including:[3] Cryosurgery may also be used to treat low risk skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma but a biopsy should be obtained first to confirm the diagnosis, determine the depth of invasion and characterize other high risk histologic features.

[citation needed] Recent advances in technology have allowed for the use of argon gas to drive ice formation using a principle known as the Joule-Thomson effect.

[citation needed] A number of medical supply companies have developed cryogen delivery systems for cryosurgery.

[3] Cryosurgery cannot be used on lesions that would subsequently require biopsy as the technique destroys tissue and precludes the use of histopathology.

[3] Patients undergoing cryosurgery usually experience redness and minor-to-moderate localized pain, which most of the time can be alleviated sufficiently by oral administration of mild analgesics such as ibuprofen, codeine or acetaminophen (paracetamol).