Foot Skin Cancer

There is no place on your body that is immune from skin cancer, including your feet.

There's a problem, though. Foot skin cancer looks different. Most of the time, it's painless. And people who get skin cancer of the foot have cracked or ulcerated feet in the past. Some, however, don't have such a history. Our goal today is to explain foot cancer causes. Next, we'll teach you how to recognize cancerous growths on your feet. Finally, we'll tell you how to avoid them and treat them.

Cancer of the foot: Symptoms and Causes

A sunburn on the top of your foot could cause skin cancer. However, viruses, chemicals, chronic inflammation, or your genes are more likely to cause skin cancer on your feet.

Unfortunately, foot skin cancer often goes undiagnosed because we don't regularly inspect our feet. In order to avoid that, it's crucial to learn the signs and symptoms of all kinds of foot skin cancer.

Xanthoma basalis

In addition to being less aggressive than other cancers, basal cell cancer is less common on the feet. It's caused by sun exposure, but it's less common on your feet. It's often mistaken for a small tumor or ulcer on your feet or lower legs, but early detection is still important. On your feet and lower legs, basal cells often appear as small bumps or patches.

Angiosarcoma of the squamous cell type

Squamous cell carcinomas usually begin as an itchy, scaly bump on the foot. Sometimes they resemble calluses, plantar warts, or fungal infections.

The malignancy of melanomas

In spite of its deadly nature, this skin cancer is rarely able to be cured unless caught early. There are many warning signs for malignant melanoma, including brown-black spots and bumps on your feet, your soles, and even underneath your toenails. It usually appears as a small brown-black spot. In spite of this, the American Podiatric Medical Association reports that about one-third of cases appear pink or red.

There are many tumors that look similar to moles, but if you learn the A, B, C, D, and E method, you will be able to recognize malignant melanoma:

Asymmetries - What does not match when you divide something in half.
The border - With irregularities, ragged edges, or scallops.
A coloration – The presence of more than one color, possibly in unequal amounts.
Dimensions – Greater than a pencil eraser in width (about 6mm or larger).
The evolution – Take a look at any changes in growth.

Achieving skin cancer prevention

Wearing sunscreen when you're outside is the best way to prevent skin cancer. Limiting your time in the sun is also important, as well as treating any skin changes immediately. As well as your feet and ankles, always lather up when you're not covering the delicate skin with socks or shoes. Choose sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection (protection from UVAs and UVB rays) and a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn.

Foot skin cancer diagnosis and treatment

You should make an appointment with our office right away if you notice any irregularities in your foot skin or nails. We will identify trouble spots during your foot exam and take biopsies if necessary. (A skin biopsy is a process by which a small sample of your skin lesion is sent to a laboratory where a skin pathologist can determine whether any cells are cancerous.)

In the event that skin cancer is detected, our team will assist you in determining your next step based on your diagnosis. Remember that early detection is key to beating any cancer.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.

📲 949-588-8833

🏢 24331 El Toro Rd, Suite 370 Laguna Woods CA 92637

🏢Irvine Medical Arts Building 113 Waterworks Way, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92618

🌐 https://www.ocfootdoctor.com/

The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals before starting any new treatment. Health information on this website MUST NOT be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of your doctor.