Although your feet may not get a lot of sun exposure, they are still susceptible to lesions just like the skin on other parts of your body. And since lesions can be cancerous and often look like other skin conditions like warts, moles, and blisters, it’s very important to have them evaluated by your foot care professional to avoid complications from a potentially deadly melanoma.

3 cancers that can affect your feet include:

• Malignant melanoma—A malignant melanoma starts on the surface but will then grow deeper into the skin where it can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. Melanomas have very few boundaries and can grow on the bottom of the feet and even underneath the toenails.
• Basal cell carcinoma—This is a much less aggressive type of cancer than malignant melanoma and doesn’t usually penetrate past the top skin layers.
• Squamous cell tumors—This cancer is characterized by painless, itchy bumps that look like warts in some cases and fungal infections in others, so make sure to have a complete evaluation done by your foot care professional.

Always see your foot doctor if you have suspicious looking skin conditions on your feet to rule out any problems. Your Next Step is a podiatry practice with a team of board-certified podiatrists who is committed to helping your feet and ankles stay healthy! Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen diagnose and treat conditions like sports injuries,arthritis, bunions, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Our podiatry office is located in the greater Philadelphia area with offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, Woodlyn, and Downingtown, PA. Contact us online for more information or to schedule an appointment.