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Background  Actinic keratoses are the most common actinic lesions on Caucasian skin. Cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen is commonly used to treat actinic keratoses, but there have been few studies examining the true rate of cure in everyday dermatologic practice.

Aim  To determine prospectively the true efficacy of cryosurgery as a treatment for actinic keratoses in everyday dermatologic practice.

Methods  A prospective, multicentered study (a subsidiary study of a photodynamic therapy trial) was performed. Patients with untreated actinic keratoses greater than 5 mm in diameter on the face and scalp were recruited. Eligible lesions received a single freeze–thaw cycle with liquid nitrogen given via a spray device and were reviewed 3 months thereafter. Each center used their preferred freeze time. The only treatment criterion was complete freezing of actinic keratoses and a 1‐mm rim of normal skin. Treated …