Many people believe since their feet don’t typically get a lot of sun they aren’t susceptible to getting skin cancer, but this is not the case. In fact, skin cancers on the feet are among the most troublesome because they often go undetected until the cancer has spread. In the case of malignant melanoma, this can be deadly. Blisters, moles, warts, etc., can have similarities to cancerous lesions, so have your foot doctor check them out.
Three cancers on your feet that can mimic other skin conditions include these:
- Melanoma—A melanoma tumor starts on the surface skin layers, but it leaves a small footprint as it starts to burrow inward. If it reaches the circulatory and lymphatic systems, it can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Malignant skin tumors can grow on the bottom of your feet and even under the toenails, so have any anomalies properly checked by your foot doctor.
- Basal cell—This is less aggressive than melanoma, and it doesn’t usually get past the uppermost skin layers. It, too, can mimic other skin conditions.
- Squamous cell—Tumors of this variety can exhibit as painless but sometimes itchy bumps that look like warts. It can also look like fungal skin infections, so see your podiatrist for accurate identification.
Be sure to see your foot doctor for any skin conditions on your feet and ankles to ensure it’s not cancer. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.