Foot skin cancer is a dangerous disease that often goes unnoticed because people rarely associate skin abnormalities of the feet with the development of cancer. Changes in skin color, pigment spots, wounds that do not heal for a long time, and even thickening or changes in the shape of the nail are mistakenly perceived as a consequence of bruises, injuries or infections. However, skin cancer can develop on the feet and toes in the same way as on other parts of the body.
Types of Skin Cancer
Cutaneous cancer on the feet is capable of manifesting itself in several forms, each with its own characteristics.
Foot Melanoma
The most aggressive form of skin cancer. On the feet, it can appear as a pigmented spot or growth that can change shape, color, or size. An important feature is the ability to metastasize if it is not diagnosed and treated in time. In the foot area, melanoma often goes unnoticed, as the spots can masquerade as common calluses or fungal infections.
Malignant Melanoma Under Toenail
A very dangerous and rare form of melanoma that develops under the toenail plate. Visually, it resembles a hemorrhage under the nail caused by trauma. However, if the spot does not go away within a few weeks or the nail changes shape, there is a risk that it could be malignant melanoma. Special attention should be paid to any changes in the structure and color of the nail plate, as cancer under the nail is difficult to recognize without special diagnostic procedures.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin on the feet is less aggressive than melanoma, but still needs to be taken seriously. It appears as non-healing flaky patches or ulcers. It resembles eczema or other dermatologic diseases, so it is often ignored by patients. If untreated, squamous cell cancer can metastasize to other tissues and organs.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and least aggressive form of skin cancer. It rarely metastasizes, but it can destroy surrounding tissues, causing severe cosmetic and functional impairment. It is uncommon on the feet, but can be recognized by the appearance of nodules or plaques with a glossy surface.
Knowing the different forms of skin cancer, especially melanoma on the feet and under the nails, can help you notice symptoms and seek medical attention in time.
Causes of Skin Cancer
Oncologic process, on the feet and under the nails, can develop under the influence of various factors.
The main causes are:
- Prolonged and intense exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Trauma and chronic damage to the skin of the foot and toes.
- Weakened immunity.
- Presence of moles or pigment spots on the feet.
The risk of developing skin cancer increases with age. Although melanoma of the feet is more common in men, women are also at risk. On women's feet, the development of melanoma can be associated with certain types of shoes, chronic microtrauma, or aggressive exposure to sun and tanning bed rays.
Symptoms and Signs
Skin cancer on the feet and under the nails can go undetected for a long time, making early diagnosis difficult. However, there are certain signs and symptoms that can indicate the development of a malignant process. These are
- The appearance of new moles or changes in existing ones on the feet or toes, which begin to change shape, become asymmetrical, have uneven edges or non-uniform color (a combination of black, brown, red or blue shades).
- Formation of a pigmented brown or black strip or spot under the nail plate that does not disappear for several weeks.
- Spread of pigmentation to the cuticle or surrounding skin.
- Appearance of a small dark spot or growth on the toes that increases in size and changes color over time.
- Appearance under the skin of the feet and fingers, painful to the touch, neoplasm.
- The presence of wounds or sores on the feet or toes that may bleed, crust over and reopen, and not heal for a long time.
- Itching, burning or painful sensations accompanied by changes in the skin of the foot or in the nail area.
- Thickening or deformation of the nail plate - nail brittleness, cracking, separation from the nail bed.
- Unusual color and inflammation of the skin around the mole or nail.
Finding one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have skin cancer, but it is a good reason to see a specialist for an examination and diagnosis.
Diagnostics: Understanding the Condition
The specialists at Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic offer a comprehensive melanoma diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan to prevent severe consequences of this disease. Diagnosis includes:
Visual examination
Our leading podiatric surgeon Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM will carefully examine the affected area for suspicious moles, age spots, nail discoloration, and any other abnormalities on the feet and toes. If malignant changes are suspected, he will recommend additional diagnostic procedures for a more accurate examination.
Dermatoscopy
A non-invasive method of examination that allows the doctor to examine in detail the structure and characteristics of the skin and neoplasms using a special magnifying device - a dermatoscope. This helps to decide whether further intervention is necessary.
Biopsy
If the doctor discovers a suspicious mass on the foot or under the nail, a biopsy is ordered - a procedure in which a small fragment of tissue is taken for microscopic examination in a laboratory to determine the presence of cancer cells and their type.
Diagnostic dermatoscopy and biopsy can detect skin cancer in its early stages, when treatment is most effective.
Treatment Options for Skin Cancer
Treatment of skin cancer on the feet is based on the results of diagnosis. Dr. Alex Yanovskiy, DPM, determines an individualized treatment plan for each patient. At Illinois Foot & Ankle Clinic, we utilize a variety of treatment techniques to prevent serious consequences and save patients' lives.
Surgical intervention:
Excision surgery
Removal of the mass with a small area of healthy skin around it to make sure all cancer cells are removed. This method is most commonly used for melanoma on the feet and other superficial types of skin cancer.
Mohs micrographic surgery
The procedure involves removing the tumor in stages, layer by layer, with immediate microscopic inspection of the removed tissue. This preserves as much healthy skin as possible and completely removes the cancer cells.
After major surgery, your doctor may prescribe radiation therapy - destroying cancer cells with high-energy rays.
Skin cancer is not a verdict, early diagnosis and the right choice of treatment can significantly increase the chance of successful recovery.