What is Foot Cancer and How to Prevent It

Symptoms of Foot Cancer

Common symptoms of foot cancer can include:

Suspicious lesions on foot

Moles that are uneven or change colors

Cracking skin on the foot

Bleeding on the foot

Abnormal masses or spots on the foot

Sores on the foot that don’t heal

The most common cause of skin cancer on the foot is sun exposure however foot cancer may also be hereditary or caused by other factors as well.

Often; foot cancer is discovered during a physical examination for an unrelated condition. That’s how we found foot cancer on a patient at Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle.

Foot Cancer Diagnosis

A patient contacted us to get an examination for ankle pain. During the patient’s physical examination, I discovered a suspicious lesion on the inside of her foot. It was about the size of a dime with irregular borders and diffused dark patterns.

I discussed my suspicion of the lesion to be cancerous with the patient and she agreed to a biopsy. Two days later, the pathology report confirmed my suspicion of melanoma and determined the melanoma to be invasive. As such; the patient was scheduled for surgery to remove the cancer.

During surgery, the melanoma and surrounding margins were removed. The tissue was sent to pathology to confirm that the depth and all margins were clear of melanoma. The patient has now fully recovered and is cancer free. The patient is advised to continue to check their feet regularly for suspicious lesions and to see me every 6 months.

How to Prevent Skin Cancer on the Feet

Protect your feet from sun exposure

Applying sunscreen on your feet is just as important as anywhere else on your body to avoid skin cancers.

Check for unusual lesions

It’s important to check your feet regularly for any suspicious lesions, masses or other changes to your skin. Any lesion or mole that changes in color, size or appearance should be checked by a physician immediately (even if changing slowly). If you have a prior history of skin cancer (anywhere), you should also have your feet checked for additional lesions.

Learn the ABCD’s of Melanoma

If you notice a mole, bump, or patch on the skin that meets any of the following criteria, see a podiatrist immediately:

Asymmetry

If the lesion is divided in half, the sides don’t match.

Borders

Borders look scalloped, uneven, or ragged.

Color

There may be more than one color. These colors may have an uneven distribution.

Diameter

The lesion is wider than a pencil eraser (greater than 6 mm).

Other types of skin cancer can involve spontaneous ulcers, non-healing sores, bumps that crack or bleed, nodules with rolled or “donut-shaped” edges, or areas of scaling skin.

Do You Or A Family Member Need The Help Of An Experienced Podiatrist In The Caldwell Or Meridian, Idaho Area?

If you're seeking the help of an experienced podiatrist you owe it to yourself to speak with our doctors as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 208.855.5955 to schedule your appointment. We service all areas surrounding Meridian, Idaho as well as all areas in the Caldwell, Idaho area. We look forward to helping you!